Minister of Science and Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal met several Senators and Congressmen including Senator Jeff Bingaman, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Gary Ackerman in Washington DC on 6th April 2006. Issues relating to bilateral S & T cooperation including the civil nuclear deal were discussed. He also visited George Washington University Law School and addressed the faculty members and students on IPR related issues. He also interacted with the think tank at Council on foreign relations and addressed a large gathering of intellectuals on “S & T for development- The Indian experience”. The Council on foreign relations (CFR) is an independent, national membership organization. Founded in 1921, CFR’s aim is to promote better understanding of the world and the foreign policy choices facing the US & other Governments. The CFR think tank is composed of scholars & researchers who cover significant issues shaping today’s international agenda. They contribute to the foreign policy debate by writing books, reports and articles.
During the interactions Shri Sibal emphasized the importance of the new partnership with USA and identified long term interests of not only India and USA but Global concerns and how they can be addressed. The energy security concerns of India in particular and World in general figured prominently in his talks. The Minister underlined the fact that India and US were natural partners and there is a need for strong collaborative ties between them. He cited several examples of innovative use of technology for empowering the common man in India and clearly brought out the fact that India has to have solutions customized to its needs which are affordable and accessible. Evolving such solutions is the country’s priority in the area of S & T. He also described the various schemes and initiatives of Government of India in this direction.
PRA/SK/GK
(Release ID :17066)