India and Switzerland Strengthen Ties at 7th Indo-Swiss Joint Committee Meeting on Science & Technology

Bern, September 1, 2025 – India and Switzerland have taken another major step in advancing their long-standing partnership in science, technology, and innovation, as the 7th Meeting of the Indo-Swiss Joint Committee on Science and Technology (S&T) was held in Bern. The meeting was co-chaired by Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), and Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

Focus on Research, Innovation, and Future Collaborations

The discussions revolved around strengthening bilateral cooperation in research, innovation, and academic exchange. Both sides reviewed ongoing joint projects, assessed their impact, and identified new priority areas for collaboration.

A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to establish a Joint Scientific Board that will design and monitor the thematic framework for long-term cooperation. Special emphasis was placed on making more targeted use of existing support instruments while introducing new approaches to expand cooperation.

Signing of Two Letters of Intent

As a concrete step forward, two Letters of Intent (LoIs) were signed between the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and:

• Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi

• Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India

These LoIs will pave the way for enhanced cooperation and new bilateral R&D calls, strengthening partnerships in priority areas such as social sciences, climate, and earth sciences.

High-Level Participation

The meeting brought together leading representatives from both countries. On the Swiss side, participants included:

• Dr. Torsten Schwede, President, SNSF

• Prof. Michael Hengartner, President, ETH-Board

• Dr. Dominique Gruhl-Begin, Director, Innosuisse

• Senior representatives from Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) – the Swiss Leading House for South Asia

• Delegates from Swissnex, ETH Domain, SNSF, and Innosuisse

On the Indian side, the delegation included senior officials from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

A Longstanding Partnership in S&T

India and Switzerland have shared a bilateral agreement on science and technology cooperation since 2003, which provides the institutional framework for the Joint Committee. Over the years, both nations have successfully expanded collaboration in frontier research and innovation.

Key milestones include:

• Since 2016, SNSF and Indian partner agencies have supported over 300 joint bilateral research projects.

• Since 1961, more than 370 Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships have been awarded to Indian researchers.

• Swissnex India has been operating in Bangalore since 2010, fostering research, education, and innovation linkages.

• Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) continues to serve as the Leading House for South Asia, expanding scientific ties with India.

  
  

Looking Ahead

Both sides acknowledged the success of ongoing cooperation, reaffirmed their commitment to long-term collaboration, and agreed on concrete next steps. The next meeting of the Indo-Swiss Joint Committee on S&T will be hosted by India in 2027. “The deliberations focused on reviewing ongoing collaborations and identifying new opportunities for strengthening future engagement. This meeting marks a significant step in taking Indo-Swiss research and innovation partnerships to the next level,” said Prof. Abhay Karandikar.

With innovation at the center of India–Switzerland relations, the two countries are set to explore new avenues in cutting-edge research, digital technologies, sustainability, and academic partnerships, reinforcing their shared vision of advancing global science and technology cooperation.