Lithuania assured that it has robust know-how and capacities in life sciences, biotechnology and other STEM areas and is keen to cooperate on high tech start-ups
With an aim to give a new impetus to the 2010 agreement in the area of science and technology, a high-level delegation from the Republic of Lithuania led by its Vice-Minister of the Economy and Innovation, Mr Karolis Žemaitis called on Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh in North Block in New Delhi and discussed the ways out. As Dr Singh showed interest to give a further fillip to start-up culture which helps in job opportunities and wealth creation, Karolis Žemaitis assured the Indian minister that Lithuania has robust know-how and capacities in life sciences, biotechnology and other STEM areas.
PIB reported Dr Singh saying that in the last nine years, India has made rapid advances in areas of Science, Technology and Innovation. He conveyed to the Lithuanian side that India is ready to extend all help to its age-old partner. Apart from rapid and globally recognized achievements in space, said the minister, the Biotech laurels in terms of four indigenous vaccines for COVID are before the world. He added that India has supplied over 723 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine to 94 countries and also shared the COWIN app for efficient vaccine delivery.
The Lithuanian Minister noted that ‘Teltonika’, a global MNC from his country, is working with Taiwan for manufacturing sophisticated chips. He further said that the company has a presence in India also and can take the collaboration of chip-making to a new height in years to come.
It is noteworthy that through MEA, the department of science & technology (DST) has been negotiating a Science & Technology Agreement with the Government of Lithuania since 2010. India formally submitted a revised counter draft incorporating a few minor modifications in April 2010. A formal response from the Lithuanian side is still awaited. It is learnt that a copy of the last version may be handed over to the Lithuanian Vice Minister.
