In a significant step to deepen bilateral scientific collaboration, Philippines Secretary of Science and Technology Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. called on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday in New Delhi.
The meeting came in the backdrop of the recently signed Programme of Cooperation (PoC) for 2025–2028, which aims to bolster cooperation between the two countries across multiple areas of science and technology.
Discussions centered on translating the broad framework of the PoC into actionable projects, with geo-spatial technologies and the blue economy identified as immediate priorities. Singh highlighted their relevance in disaster management, maritime resource mapping, and environmental monitoring.
Welcoming the Philippines’ active role in the India-ASEAN Science and Technology framework, Singh stressed the importance of people-to-people linkages through fellowship programmes and joint events. He also suggested agricultural biotechnology, disaster risk reduction, and advanced geospatial applications as promising areas for joint research.
Singh briefed the delegation about India’s National Geospatial Policy 2022, which aims to create a high-resolution digital elevation model of the country by 2030, adding that India is open to sharing its expertise with the Philippines.
The two sides agreed on the need for regular Joint Committee meetings to monitor the implementation of projects under the PoC. The cooperation framework spans eight thematic areas, including AI, energy storage, ocean sciences, and biotechnology.
The PoC will facilitate joint R&D projects, exchange of scientists, capacity-building programmes, and sharing of non-proprietary scientific data. Indian and Filipino institutions will be encouraged to submit annual joint research proposals to develop new knowledge and commercially viable technologies.
Senior officials, including Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, and Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, participated in the meeting along with senior representatives from both nations.
Singh expressed confidence that this engagement, held ahead of the Head of State-level meeting later in the day, would pave the way for a more outcome-driven science and technology partnership between India and the Philippines.
