Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan discussed a wide range of scientific and technical issues and possible bilateral and multilateral collaborations such as BRICS with a high-level delegation led by Brazilian Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mr. Marcos Cesar Pontes who he received on February 24, 2021.

The deliberations focused around India- Brazil collaboration in thematic areas such as health, drugs, and vaccine for COVID-19; medicines and vaccines, biotechnology, energy, nanotechnology, ICT, artificial intelligence(AI), cybersecurity; monitoring of biomes and agriculture areas, oceans, water quality, air quality and atmospheric pollution by satellite; development of earth system modelling for weather forecasting and climate change. 

Dr Harsh Vardhan informed his counterpart that a series of scientific events have been planned, which will be steered and coordinated by India as Chair of BRICS in 2021.India is keen to collaborate with Brazil in the key areas such as health; earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences, weather forecasting, climate change, renewable energy; low carbon technologies, agriculture; cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence (AI); environment (Water, Air pollution), circular economy; space, nanotechnology, innovation and entrepreneurship.He emphasized that mobility of researchers is key for success of any collaboration. Project-based mobility of researchers, students needs to be increased to build long term strategic collaboration and networking among the scientists and research organization of both sides.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said under ‘Vaccine Maitree’ mechanism proposed for making available safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines at affordable prices to the highest risk populations, India is committed to provide supplies of vaccines to partnering nations.

Mr. Marcos Cesar Pontes said that Brazil was keen to collaborate on areas like weather forecasting, climate change, space sciences, and scientists, entrepreneurs and innovators from the two sides could think and work together, receive technical help from each other to prepare for the future and also tackle situations like the recent pandemic.

Both sides acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between two countries in the fields of science, technology, and innovation at the meeting in which senior officials from both sides were present.

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NB/KGS/(DSTMedia Cell)