Scientific fraternity has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for successful G20 showcasing of India's technological supremacy.

Adopting a resolution by voice vote, the joint meeting of Secretaries of different Science Ministries and Departments, chaired by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh, congratulated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the “highly technology driven” New Delhi Declaration and the announcement of Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

The periodic meeting of Science Secretaries included heads of Government’s all S&T bodies across the spectrum. The Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Earth Sciences, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, among others, were represented at the meeting. Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt of India, Prof Ajay Sood was also present at the meeting.

New Delhi Declaration was hailed for the promotion and collaboration of Science & Technology, particularly towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Declaration adopted at the G20 Summit committed itself to implement India’s initiative of 'Lifestyle for Environment Mission’ (LiFE) and promote Artificial Intelligence towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). By adopting the 'Green Development Pact,' G-20 has also reaffirmed its commitments to sustainable and green growth.

The Science Secretaries Meeting also complimented the ISRO for the Chandrayaan-3 successful landing on Moon and the launch of Aditya-L1 Solar Mission.

The G20 Summit supported India’s plan to build and maintain a Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository (GDPIR) and welcomed the establishment of the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) within a WHO-managed framework.

A landmark achievement was the launch of Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) by the leaders of Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius and UAE, at the initiative of PM Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. GBA aims to serve as a catalytic platform, fostering global collaboration for the advancement and widespread adoption of biofuels.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned PM Modi’s very successful visit to the US with focus on S&T was an appropriate precursor to the G20 Declaration.

During PM Modi’s USA visit, India became a signatory to the “Artemis Accord '' and India and the US announced the Joint Indo-US mission to the International Space Station in 2024. Besides, Micron announced an investment of$800 Million.

In his remarks, Principal Scientific Advisor to Govt of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood underlined the G20 New Delhi Declaration mentions the word “data” more than a dozen times.

The Meeting also congratulated PM Modi on the successful passage of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.

The ‘Anusandhan National Research Foundation’ (NRF), set up by an Act passed during the last Monsoon session of Parliament, aims at equitable funding and democratisation of resources in research and academics. Up to 70% of its allocation of Rs 50,000 crore over five years, viz Rs 36,000 crore, will come from the non-governmental sector.

The Minister was informed about the progress of the Anusandhan Implementation Committee and that the framing of Rules and Regulations is in the works. The Vigyan Gati forum will also be implemented under the NRF.

The Meeting also deliberated upon the scheduling of India International Science Fair, IISF 2023.

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