Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday, 22 September said that India and the European Union (EU) are poised to significantly deepen cooperation across frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, semiconductors, biotechnology, and advanced research. The remarks were made during a high-level meeting in New Delhi with a delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).

Key Developments from the Meeting

The ITRE delegation was led by Angelika Winzig of Austria and MEP Raffaele Stancanelli. Discussions centred on the implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the deepening of scientific collaboration, and the advancement of partnerships in critical and emerging technologies.

Dr Singh described the India-EU strategic partnership as offering 'significant opportunities for deeper engagement in areas of mutual interest,' with science, technology and innovation forming a central pillar. He stressed that the early signing and effective implementation of the FTA should remain a shared priority, arguing it would unlock new avenues for businesses, consumers and skilled professionals on both sides.

What the EU Delegation Said

Speaking on behalf of the visiting team, Winzig described India as a 'key strategic partner for the EU' and said the visit was aimed at better understanding India's industrial and technology policy landscape while identifying concrete avenues for collaboration. She highlighted shared interests in industrial competitiveness, resilient supply chains, and the advancement of green and digital transitions — areas where both economies have declared long-term ambitions.

India's Innovation Agenda and Viksit Bharat 2047

Dr Singh linked the proposed cooperation to India's broader development blueprint, noting that research and innovation are central to the government's vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. He referenced the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and a proposed EUR 10 billion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative designed to support high-risk, high-impact research and foster deep-tech startups across India.

The minister underscored that India is increasingly focused on technology commercialisation and stronger industry participation in the research ecosystem — a shift from purely academic collaboration toward applied, market-linked innovation.

Frontier Technologies on the Table

Dr Singh invited the EU to engage more actively in frontier sectors: AI, quantum computing, advanced materials, semiconductors, high-performance computing, and next-generation telecommunications including 6G. He said quantum technologies present major opportunities for joint research, skill development and ecosystem creation. On AI, he suggested that collaboration could target healthcare and scientific research, with a strong emphasis on 'responsible and trustworthy adoption' — language that aligns with both the EU's AI Act framework and India's emerging AI governance discourse.

What Comes Next

This meeting comes amid active negotiations on the India-EU FTA, which has seen repeated delays since formal talks were relaunched in 2022. A technology-driven partnership framework — backed by a concrete RDI funding commitment — could provide fresh momentum to the broader bilateral relationship. Both sides are expected to follow up with working-level consultations on specific technology collaboration frameworks in the months ahead.