India, Norway sign five key agreements in science and innovation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit | Today’s news
India and Norway deepened their strategic science and innovation partnership through new bilateral agreements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country. The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of clean energy, offshore wind energy, sustainability, geosciences and academic cooperation.
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, signed five key agreements on May 18 in Norway.
India and Norway strengthen cooperation
N Kalaiselvi, CSIR Director General and DSIR Secretary, led the Indian delegation along with senior representatives of various Norwegian research, academic and industrial organisations. The goal of the cooperation is to expand bilateral ties in the field of research, innovation and technological development, while supporting institutional partnerships, startup involvement and sustainable growth initiatives.
As part of these initiatives, DSIR/CSIR and the Research Council of Norway (RCN) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
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According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, this particular agreement “seeks to promote cooperation in research, technology development, innovation and capacity building”. The framework outlines plans for joint workshops, joint research and development projects and exchange visits focused on global challenges, climate, clean energy, oceans and health.
CSIR further finalized a collaboration agreement (2026-2029) with Stiftelsen SINTEF, an independent research organization in Norway. This agreement operates under the existing 2014 Memorandum of Understanding.
The Ministry of Science and Technology noted that “the collaboration focuses on circulation and the transition to sustainability through joint research and innovation programs in areas such as biological processes and materials, innovation centers, ocean energy, including offshore wind and hybrid systems, carbon capture, storage and use, and waste recovery”.
A separate collaborative project agreement on ocean energy and offshore wind energy has been concluded between SINTEF institutions and several CSIR institutes, including the Structural Engineering Research Centre, the National Aeronautical Laboratories, the National Oceanographic Institute and the Fourth Paradigm Institute. This project involves CSIR financial support of approx ₹341 million.
The Ministry of Science and Technology said “the collaborative force aims to strengthen India’s capacity in offshore renewable energy technologies and contribute to the nation’s renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals”.
In addition, CSIR, the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have signed a joint statement of intent entitled “Collaboration in Science, Technology and Innovation for the Green Shift”.
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The Ministry of Science and Technology said that “the declaration focuses on sustainability, circular economy, ocean science and technology, health and engineering technologies for civil and infrastructure purposes”.
In geosciences, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) has signed a five-year MoU with Emerald Geomodelling. The Ministry of Science and Technology said the pact aims to “establish scientific and business collaboration for geoscience-based solutions for major infrastructure projects in India”. These combined agreements represent a new milestone in science and technology cooperation between India and Norway.
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Modi’s visit to Norway
PM Modi said India and Norway have upgraded their bilateral ties to a “green strategic partnership”.
In a post at X, PM Modi highlighted the discussions as “fruitful conversations” and highlighted cooperation in clean and sustainable sectors as the main outcome of the meeting.
“One of the highlights was the elevation of our bilateral partnership to a Green Strategic Partnership, which will enhance cooperation in clean energy, sustainable growth, blue economy and green shipping, as well as several other areas,” PM Modi said.
Key things
- India and Norway have strengthened their partnership to focus on green initiatives, strengthening cooperation in clean energy and sustainability.
- Five major agreements focused on research cooperation, technology development and capacity building in various fields were signed.
- The partnership aims to address global challenges, particularly in climate change, clean energy and ocean sustainability.
