Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Wednesday left for a three-day official visit to Italy to strengthen India’s scientific engagement with Europe and expand partnerships in science, technology and innovation.
Singh, who is leading the Indian delegation, is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral discussions with Italian ministers, including those handling university and research, space and aerospace policy.
The visit will include bilateral engagements, the Second India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue 2026 in Rome and interactions with leading scientific institutions in Trieste, with a focus on expanding cooperation in research, strategic technologies and innovation.
Scheduled for November 12 in Rome, the Second India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue 2026 will bring together leading scientific institutions, researchers, innovation stakeholders and technology incubators from both countries.
The dialogue will focus on research excellence, strategic technologies, translating research into innovation, strengthening institutional partnerships and preparing a joint action agenda for future cooperation.
During the visit, Singh will hold bilateral meetings with Italy’s Minister for University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and Minister responsible for Space and Aerospace Policy, Adolfo Urso. The discussions are expected to explore opportunities to expand India-Italy cooperation in science and technology, research and other strategic areas of mutual interest.
The minister’s programme in Trieste on November 13 will include visits to the Elettra Synchrotron Facility, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB).
The engagements are expected to provide opportunities to explore collaborative research, partnerships in scientific infrastructure and mobility programmes for researchers.
The visit will also include an interaction with members of the Indian diaspora in Rome. Singh is scheduled to participate in a programme commemorating World Diabetes Day at the Embassy of India on November 14.
India and Italy share longstanding bilateral ties and cooperate across several sectors. The visit is expected to further expand their partnership into emerging and frontier areas of science, technology and research.
The engagements reflect India’s efforts to strengthen international scientific partnerships, promote research-driven innovation and deepen collaboration with global research institutions and technology ecosystems.
-PIB
