NEW DELHI, Oct 23: The first India-France Technology Summit got underway here today with Minister for Science and Technology S Jaipal Reddy and Ambassador of France Francois Richier calling for redefining the trade and industry relations between the two countries by collaboration in research and innovation.
Pointing out that India was working for inclusive growth, Mr Reddy said, “It was imperative that we find technological solution to problems relating to health, water, transport, infrastructure and energy.
To achieve these objectives, he called for greater collaboration with France so that Indian companies could benefit from the cutting edge technologies developed by French companies.
He noted areas of aerospace, water management clean energy, food processing where technological collaboration with France could yield result.
Describing himself as a “great admirer” of French Enlightenment and writer Voltaire, Mr Reddy said the rationale for close ties between the two countries had been reinforced by the political and economic imperatives of modern times.
He also mentioned the contribution made by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and French President Valery Giscrad d’Estaing in forging closer partnership between the two countries.
The Minister said India was using the Public private Partnership(PPP) model for funding research applicable to industry and during the 12th plan tax incentives would be provided.
The India France Technology Summit was announced by President Hollande and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the recent State visit of the former to India. It has gathered over 500 French and Indian participants, including companies, research organizations, universities, technological clusters, and agency departments.
The Summit aims at creating an ‘eco-system’ bringing together all French and Indian actors in research, development, innovation and higher education.
French Ambassador Mr Richier in his special address earlier pointed that France had 12 out of the of the 100 companies rated globally as most innovative. (UNI)
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