(a) whether the Government is comtemplating to seek cooperation from U.S.A. in the field of bio-technology;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c)
(c) whether any talks have been held between the two countries in this regard;
(d)
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the decision taken following the aforesaid talks ?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) Yes, Sir. In addition to the ongoing cooperation with USA in the areas of Contraceptive and Reproductive
Health Research (CRHR), Vaccine Action Programme (VAP), Agriculture Biotechnology, Brain Research and a new
arrangement proposed to be signed soon in the area of Vision Research, the Government of India and USA are
seeking for increased cooperation in the field of biotechnology.
(b), (c) & (d) The US Department of Commerce has forwarded a proposal for `Enhanced US-India biotechnology
cooperation` under the High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). The proposal has emerged out of the HTCG
meeting held in Washington on 15th June, 2005. Hon`ble Minister for State (S&T) and the Secretary,
Department of Biotechnology participated in the meeting. The main areas for cooperative activities as
suggested in the above mentioned proposal include strengthening of patent protection in India; encouraging
the commercialization of research in India; discussion on export control related to biological and chemical
items; expanding US-India cooperation in transgenic agriculture; and facilitating US-India cooperation in
clinical research.
Talks are going on for cooperation in the areas of stem cell research, genomics and proteomics. A dialogue
has already been initiated in these areas. A joint Indo-US workshop on `research and development in
genomics covering health, agriculture and industry` was held in Bangalore, India in September, 2003.
(e) The proposal for the `Enhanced US-India biotechnology cooperation` forwarded to the Government of India
in July 2005, is under discussion and consideration. However, the proposed statement of intent on the
Indo-US collaboration on expansion of Vision Research has been approved by both the Governments.