Indo-Hungarian Co-operation in Science & Technology

In one form or another, Indo-Hungarian co-operation in Science & Technology has been active for the last 50 years, virtually beginning when our two countries established diplomatic relations. Currently, our bilateral co-operation in this field is being executed through two Agreements – that between the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), and that between our Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Hungarian National Committee for Technological Development (OMFB, and NKTH since 2004).

This co-operation is characterised by the continuity and regularity of exchanges, with some 50 scientists being exchanged during a programme period (of two years), the diverse spectrum of areas of co-operation, personal interdisciplinary links and exchanges as well as institutionalised links which reflect the synergies and affinities between our two countries in this field. Our co-operation is not just limited to the bilateral arena but has close linkages to international scientific developments also.

In recent years, efforts are being made to ensure that scientific exchanges and R&D related to the Indo-Hungarian Science & Technology Programme go beyond pure research, with the ultimate objective being the commercialisation, social application and globalisation of the knowledge gained in this co-operation.

Under a framework agreement signed during the visit of PM to India in 2008, an India-Hungary S&T Fund to promote joint research was established. Suggested areas include green biotech, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, ICT, nano-technology and molecular biology.

The 11th India-Hungary Joint S&T Committee Meeting [Online] was held in July 2020. Joint projects were identified in the fields of Energy, Environment, Water, Biotech, Agriculture Food and other broader areas of cooperation were also discussed. Mission informed of areas of possible cooperation in the field of digitalization, pharma, film production, renewable energy, solar energy, water management, agricultural and food processing, health/medical devices, digital technologies, AI, etc.