Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Fact Sheet: U.S.-India Science and Technology Cooperation

India and the United States are cementing their strategic partnership in the area of science and technology enterprises, according to a fact sheet released July 19 by the U.S. Department of State.
 
For example, the U.S.-India Innovation Exchange, announced earlier this year by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna, is set to sponsor a 40-country "Global Innovation Roundtable" in India November 14-15. Exchange programs - such as the Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum and India Science and Technology Partnership - have facilitated the travel of nearly 10,000 scientists between the United States and India and established scores of virtual joint research centers.
Both countries are exchanging satellite-based scientific data about the Earth, its climate, weather and geophysical features to better understand global weather patterns. Both countries also are committed to launching by 2012 "Data.gov" - an open-source platform that will provide citizens access to government information via a user-friendly website.
 
Following is the text of the fact sheet:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
July 19, 2011
 
FACT SHEET
 
U.S.-India Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation
 
Vibrant science and technology (S&T) enterprises form the basis of U.S.-India economic growth and strengthen our strategic partnership. While governments play a role in enabling joint S&T activities, active and innovative collaboration in S&T, health, and innovation relies on the efforts of businesses, scientists and institutions in both countries.
 
Innovation
 
U.S.-India S&T Endowment Board: The United States and India are committed to jointly promoting science and technology research, development and innovation. The U.S.-India S&T Endowment Board, established in 2009 to promote commercialization of innovative technologies, will announce in September awards of up to $500,000 to several organizations to fund projects with the potential to improve health and empower citizens in both countries.
 
U.S.-India Innovation Exchange: During the June 2010 U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Minister of External Affairs S. M. Krishna announced the U.S.-India Innovation Exchange. The first delegation under the Exchange traveled to India September 14-16, 2010. The Government of India will host a "Global Innovation Roundtable" November 14-15 and is planning to invite 40 countries to participate.
 
"Data.gov": As part of the India-U.S. Dialogue on Open Government launched in November 2010, the two countries have committed to jointly develop an open source "Data.gov" platform by the first quarter of 2012 to be taken to interested countries globally. Leveraging the high technology strengths and the democratic commitment to robust civic engagement of both India and the United States, this "open source" platform will provide citizens access to Government information via a user-friendly website and a package of e-Governance applications to enhance public service delivery.
 
Science and Technology
 
Science and Engineering Research Board: The United States National Science Foundation (NSF) is assisting India's Department of Science & Technology to develop its Science and Engineering Research Board, which will enhance the infrastructure and capacity for research in India.
 
The Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum: The Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum (IUSSTF), along with its U.S. counterpart the India Science and Technology Partnership (INSTP), has facilitated travel of nearly 10,000 scientists between the United States and India, established 24 virtual joint research centers and organized more than 30 training programs and 150 bilateral conferences, two-thirds of which have resulted in long-term partnerships.
 
Discovery Science: The United States' Department of Energy and India's Department of Atomic Energy signed an Implementing Agreement on Discovery Science that provides the framework for India's participation in the next generation particle accelerator facility at Fermilab.
 
Space
 
Indian Space Research Organization: The United States and India are committed to building closer ties in space exploration, space science and earth observation. Both countries are dedicated to using their space programs to expand the frontiers of scientific knowledge and produce tangible benefits for their populations. The removal of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and subordinate agencies from the Entities List in February 2011marked a significant step in eliminating remaining barriers to greater cooperation in space exploration and research.
 
Civil Space Working Group: By exchanging and utilizing satellite-based scientific data about the Earth, its climate, weather, and geophysical features, the United States and India are working together to share information on tropical weather, monsoon forecasting and climate change. At the July 13-14 Civil Space Working Group, the two countries took steps towards their cooperation in this area by concluding substantive discussion on Oceansat-II and Megha-Tropiques missions, which will help the countries refine scientific models and improve understanding of global weather patterns.
 

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)

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