Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 3: In a groundbreaking move, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh delivered a virtual address during the celebration of National Science Day at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
Reflecting on four decades of successful collaboration in science and technology (S&T) between India and Japan, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, proclaimed the years 2025-26 as the India-Japan Year of Science, Technology, and Innovation Exchange.
He highlighted the remarkable strides made since 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, marking the dawn of a new phase in Indo-Japan collaboration. The Minister emphasized achievements since 2015, including the selection of approximately 7,000 Indian science students for the Sakura Science Program, which enabled their visits to Japan for exposure to advanced scientific research.
This event represents a significant milestone in the ongoing S&T partnership between the two countries and paves the way for enhancing collaboration in vital sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Quantum Technology, and Space.
While participating in the NSD celebrations, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple ministerial portfolios including Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, remarked, “The Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and Japan has created a foundation for numerous initiatives over the years, marking a significant 40 years of impactful partnership,” underscoring that Indo-Japan S&T cooperation has been among the most enduring and robust aspects of India’s global S&T engagements.
Building on this strong bilateral foundation, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that the 11th meeting of the Indo-Japan Joint S&T Committee is scheduled for June 2025. This meeting will assess ongoing collaborations and introduce new initiatives to fully harness the synergies in S&T between the two nations.
He further indicated that the future of India-Japan collaborations will see an increased exchange of students and researchers, specifically focusing on long-term stays, joint mentorships, and internships in Japan, with special attention to nurturing talented women scientists. To strengthen bilateral relations, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has extended invitations to Japanese science students for exposure visits to India. Last year, ten students and two supervisors participated in this initiative.
Celebrating the remarkable transformation India has undergone in the last decade, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that India has significantly enhanced its global standing across various innovation metrics. The country now ranks 3rd in research publications, PhDs, and start-ups, and is 9th in the quality of research publications. Furthermore, India has climbed to 3rd in terms of unicorns and stands at 39th in the Global Innovation Index, marking a substantial rise from its 80th position in 2014.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also expressed pride in India’s achievements in space, particularly the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which accomplished the first soft landing on the Moon’s south pole. He stated that this accomplishment is not only a historic success for India but also for the world at large. “India’s space program is now recognized as one of the most ambitious, robust, and cost-effective in the globe. The 2017 feat of launching 104 satellites in a single mission by ISRO remains a world record,” he remarked.
In conclusion, Dr. Jitendra Singh articulated his vision for an era of strengthened scientific and technological engagement between India and Japan. With an emphasis on mutual benefits and shared growth, the forthcoming decade is poised to usher in even greater accomplishments in science, technology, and innovation, positioning both nations as leaders in global advancement.
