India and Philippines Set Joint Research Agenda Across 8 Sectors Under New 2025–28 Science & Technology Agreement

New Delhi: In a significant boost to Indo-Pacific scientific collaboration, the Philippines’ Science Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. called on India’s Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today in New Delhi. The bilateral talks culminated in the operational launch of the 2025–2028 Programme of Cooperation (PoC) — a multi-sectoral roadmap for joint research and innovation.

🔍 Key Highlights of the India–Philippines Science Cooperation Talks:

• Eight Priority Areas Identified under the new PoC, including:

  • Agricultural Biotechnology

  • Geospatial Technologies

  • Artificial Intelligence

  • Blue Economy & Ocean Sciences

  • Energy Storage

  • Health Technologies

  • Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Environmental Monitoring

• Dr. Jitendra Singh urged fast-tracking of geo-spatial tech and blue economy projects, citing their relevance to:

  • Maritime domain awareness

  • Climate resilience

  • Sustainable resource use

• Emphasis on people-to-people scientific linkages via:

  • Fellowships

  • Exchange programs

  • Joint scientific workshops

📊 Strategic Outcomes Envisioned

• Establishment of a Joint Committee Mechanism to monitor progress.

• Encouragement of annual joint research proposals from Indian and Filipino institutions.

• Frameworks laid for:

  • Funding & intellectual property rights (IPR) protection

  • Sharing of non-sensitive scientific datasets

  • Joint capacity-building initiatives

Dr. Singh also highlighted India’s National Geospatial Policy 2022, inviting Filipino collaboration in creating high-resolution topographical and digital elevation models by 2030.

🧬 Senior Officials Present

• Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology

• Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences

• Senior officials from DST India and Philippines’ DOST

🗣️ Ministerial Remarks

“This partnership is rooted in mutual strengths and geared toward future readiness,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh. “Through joint innovation, we aim to deliver real economic and societal value to both nations.”