The 13th meeting of the Working Group on Science and Technology under the Russian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation took place at MISIS University. At the meeting, representatives from government organizations, scientists, and industry experts discussed expanding cooperation between the two countries: developing joint educational programs, promoting national languages, implementing fundamental and applied scientific research, conducting joint competitions for research projects, and training Indian students in Russian universities.
The meeting was opened by Stepan Sokolov, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation: “Today, we will discuss how current projects implemented in collaboration with Indian scientists and Russian initiatives can enhance our partnership. In 2023, a new competitive selection was announced with organizations from BRICS countries, resulting in support for 9 projects, 6 of which involve Indian organizations. Additionally, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia and the Department of Science and Technology of India conducted a competition for research projects, approving another 4 initiatives with implementation timelines extending to 2025”.
The parties noted positive dynamics in implementing cooperation within the framework of the Roadmap for Russian-Indian collaboration in science, technology, and innovation and agreed to increase interaction. MISIS University expressed interest in further strengthening ties with Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology. Joint research will focus on developing materials for alternative and renewable energy: electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries, thermoelectric materials for next-generation energy converters, as well as multiscale modeling of the deformation behavior of carbon fiber composites based on super-structural thermoplastics.
“Russia and India have managed to organize numerous joint projects thanks to cooperation. Both countries are confidently moving forward, expanding scientific and technical interaction and creating conditions for the realization of advanced scientific ideas, and we are confident that we will continue to address global challenges and make many significant discoveries”, said Pravinkumar Somasundaram, head of the International Cooperation Division at the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of India.
To strengthen partnerships between universities in both countries, agreements have been reached to work on conducting the following events in 2025: the first forum of university rectors from both countries and India Week in Russia, with a program covering scientific, educational, and cultural tracks.
