In a major step towards strengthening India’s international management in science diplomacy and innovation coverage, the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 6, 2026.
The partnership is designed to improve collaboration in science, know-how and innovation coverage by joint analysis, coverage evaluation, data change, capability constructing and science diplomacy initiatives aimed toward selling inclusive and sustainable improvement throughout the Global South.
The settlement alerts rising momentum behind India’s efforts to place science diplomacy, conventional data programs and know-how cooperation as central pillars of worldwide engagement with growing nations.
Strategic Collaboration Focused on Science Diplomacy and Sustainable Development
Under the MoU, CSIR-NIScPR and RIS will collectively work on:
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science and know-how coverage analysis
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science communication and outreach
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science diplomacy initiatives
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conventional data programs
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capacity-building programmes
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coverage dialogues and workshops
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collaborative publications
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analysis initiatives on rising international challenges
Officials from each establishments described the settlement as a long-term strategic collaboration aimed toward leveraging India’s scientific experience and coverage capabilities to strengthen cooperation amongst growing nations.
The initiative is predicted to assist evidence-based policymaking whereas enhancing India’s position in shaping worldwide conversations round science governance, innovation ecosystems and equitable know-how entry.
Science Diplomacy Emerging as Key Global Strategy
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sachin Kumar Sharma, Director General of RIS, highlighted science diplomacy as an more and more essential instrument for addressing complicated international challenges.
He famous that scientific collaboration has grow to be vital for constructing worldwide belief and tackling points similar to:
Prof. Sharma emphasised that nations of the Global South should play a extra energetic position in shaping international scientific and technological governance frameworks slightly than remaining passive individuals.
He additionally outlined a number of RIS-led initiatives aimed toward strengthening worldwide scientific engagement, together with:
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Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programs
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iGOT Karmayogi coaching programmes
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publications underneath the Forum for Indian Science Diplomacy
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international partnerships by DAKSHIN initiatives
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IBSA Fellowship collaborations
Officials famous that these programmes are meant to promote capability constructing, data change and South-South cooperation throughout a number of sectors.
CSIR-NIScPR Highlights India’s Scientific and Traditional Knowledge Strengths
Dr. Geeta Vani Rayasam, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, described the MoU as a “collaborative and win-win partnership” targeted on advancing scientific cooperation throughout growing nations.
She highlighted CSIR-NIScPR’s rising position in:
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science communication
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coverage analysis
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dissemination of scientific data
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public engagement in science
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conventional data documentation
Dr. Rayasam additionally underscored the broader contributions of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), considered one of India’s largest scientific analysis networks.
Among the key achievements highlighted have been:
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inexpensive HIV drug improvements
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validation of conventional drugs programs
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rural know-how improvements
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sustainable improvement analysis
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operation of 15 open-access scientific journals
The collaboration is predicted to mix RIS’s coverage experience with CSIR’s scientific analysis ecosystem to strengthen interdisciplinary work in science coverage and diplomacy.
South-South Cooperation Takes Centre Stage
Several audio system on the occasion burdened the rising significance of South-South scientific collaboration in an more and more fragmented international geopolitical atmosphere.
Dr. S.Ok. Varshney, Science Consultant at RIS, emphasised that scientific partnerships amongst growing nations ought to be constructed on:
He acknowledged that such cooperation can play a vital position in:
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know-how sharing
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strengthening resilient healthcare programs
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decreasing scientific dependency
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bettering native innovation ecosystems
Dr. Amit Kumar, Assistant Professor at RIS, described the collaboration as a significant milestone that integrates RIS’s coverage capabilities with CSIR’s scientific strengths.
He famous that the partnership can be additional strengthened by coverage roundtables and structured science diplomacy engagements.
India-Africa Cooperation and Global South Engagement
Science diplomacy linked to the Global South emerged as a dominant theme through the discussions.
Dr. Rajan Sudhesh Ratna highlighted RIS’s position in strengthening worldwide scientific cooperation by the DAKSHIN initiative, which seeks to deepen collaboration amongst growing nations.
Dr. Sneha Sinha, Consultant at RIS, famous that earlier collaborations between RIS and CSIR-NIScPR — together with workshops and joint analysis initiatives — had already established a powerful basis for expanded engagement.
She notably highlighted the importance of the roundtable on science diplomacy within the Global South, which targeted on:
The discussions come forward of the anticipated India-Africa Forum Summit, the place science and know-how cooperation is predicted to characteristic prominently.
Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous Innovation Highlighted
Traditional data programs and indigenous drugs have been additionally central themes through the occasion.
Dr. Sarin N. S., Coordinator of the Forum for Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM), emphasised the significance of conventional drugs and indigenous data as foundational components of South-South cooperation.
He acknowledged that growing nations possess beneficial conventional scientific data that may contribute considerably to:
Meanwhile, Dr. Monika Jaggi and Dr. Charu Lata highlighted CSIR-NIScPR’s contributions in advancing conventional data analysis and science diplomacy initiatives by programmes similar to SVASTIK.
Officials famous that integrating conventional data programs with fashionable scientific analysis may create new alternatives for innovation and sustainable improvement.
Key Publications Released During the Event
The occasion additionally witnessed the discharge of three main publications targeted on science coverage, worldwide cooperation and environmental challenges.
The launched publications included:
India-Republic of Korea S&T Cooperation: Co-Creating the Future
Authored by:
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Sanjeev Ok. Varshney
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Amit Kumar
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Sneha Sinha
The publication explores rising scientific and technological cooperation between India and South Korea.
Proceedings of Workshop on Strengthening India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem: Policies, Challenges and Opportunities
Authored by:
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Dr. Shiv Narayan Nishad
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Dr. Vipan Kumar
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Dr. Naresh Kumar
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Dr. Sandhiya Lakshmanan
The doc focuses on India’s semiconductor ambitions, coverage challenges and alternatives in strengthening home chip manufacturing capabilities.
Policy Bulletin: The Key Drivers of Particulate Pollution from Road Transportation in Indian States
Authored by:
The bulletin analyses air pollution traits linked to street transportation and explores coverage measures for bettering air high quality administration.
Expanding India’s Influence in Global Scientific Governance
The MoU between CSIR-NIScPR and RIS displays India’s broader push to increase its position in worldwide science diplomacy, innovation coverage and know-how governance.
As geopolitical competitors more and more intersects with scientific collaboration, specialists consider establishments targeted on coverage analysis, know-how cooperation and data diplomacy will play a rising strategic position.
The partnership is predicted to contribute to:
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evidence-based policymaking
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worldwide scientific collaboration
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innovation diplomacy
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sustainable improvement partnerships
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Global South capability constructing
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know-how governance frameworks
Observers say the collaboration may assist place India as a number one voice advocating for equitable and inclusive scientific cooperation within the growing world.