India Is Driving Today’s International Science And Tech Collaborations
For the past few years, India has been a pioneer in pushing international collaborations on science and technology worldwide. Whether it was the formation of techno-economical alliances or collaborations on renewable energy, India has been at the forefront.
Achieving 2030 Agenda for UN Sustainable Development Goals
United Nations has named Science, Technology, and Innovation as the key elements that will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 worldwide. To aid the process, they have also launched the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism. India, as a member country, is also a part of the exercise.
Why is India interested?
For a vast and diverse country like India, scientific and technological innovations can ensure a better life for every citizen. New opportunities and livelihoods can be cultivated and better governance can be provided. India is also committed to collaborating with other UN Nations to achieve 2030 goals.
India as a Leader
India has been taking interest in cross-border collaborations in scientific research and development. There have been quite a few initiatives India has taken.
The Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA)
This platform allowed enterprises from India to collaborate with partners globally, across countries like Canada, Finland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, and the UK. Taking the government into confidence as a partner, the aim was to create high-end yet affordable products for both the domestic and global markets.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA)
This has been one of the instances when India presented unquestionable leadership. With 79 sunshine countries as signatories and almost 121 prospective partners, this is an ideal example of technological diplomacy. The ISA is a dedicated platform for countries, usually ones lying within the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, to achieve their common goal of increasing dependency on solar energy, instead of fossil fuels. The idea is to find sustainable, affordable and equitable solutions.
The Global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Structure (CDRI)
This the latest example of international partnership piloted by India. 35 countries have so far agreed to help developed and developing countries build solutions to tackle climate disasters. Member countries will share technical support, newest developments and resources to ensure proper planning in case of disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, forest fires, etc.
Way Forward
It is evident that international cooperation and collaboration on science, technology, and innovation is a necessity of our times. No Nation can address the massive challenges alone. To ensure the survival of the species each nation must ensure active collaboration between its scientific and administrative communities. It only goes on to show how farsighted India has been to have already taken the first step.
Topics: GS-II: Bilateral Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements • GS-III: Disaster and Disaster Management