On November 12, 2007 the Fifth Meeting of the Bulgarian-Indian Joint Committee for Science and Technology was held in New Delhi. The Bulgarian Delegation was led by Dr. Mrs. Vania Dobreva, Deputy Minister of Education and Science and the Indian delegation – by Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

The heads of the two delegations pointed out that the collaboration in the area of science and technology between Bulgaria and India is one of the pillars in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The participants in the session reviewed the status of the ongoing joint research projects in the field of science and technology. It was noted that of the 25 approved by the previous session joint projects, 12 were in a process of implementation and 12 were approved for extension. The meeting approved 9 new projects for implementation. Both sides agreed to undertake an initiative in the field of solar energy research.

It was agreed that the cooperation in the fields of nano-materials, high-energy physics and satellite technologies and biotechnology should continue and in addition three other fields of cooperation have been identified: food technology, pharmaceuticals and medical research and materials and new energy. Both sides agreed to have bilateral workshops in those areas.

The Indian side offered up to 10 fellowships per year for young Bulgarian scientists at post doctoral level for 6 months to a year. The Bulgarian side agreed to explore possibilities to make this proposal reciprocal. 

The heads of the two delegations Mrs. Vania Dobreva and prof. Ramasami signed a Protocol of the Fifth Meeting of the Bulgarian-Indian Joint Committee for Science and Technology (Click Here for more infomation).

At the sidelines of the Session on 13 November the Bulgarian delegation was received by the Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences H.E. Mr. Kapil Sibal. Minister Sibal pointed out that India would like to deepen the cooperation with Bulgaria in the field of science and technology and especially in the field of food technology and solar energy.

The Bulgarian delegation visited the National Physical Laboratory and got acquainted with its structure, organization and main activities. The delegation had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of the Delhi University Prof. Deepak Pental, as well as with the Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission Prof. Mool Chand Sharma.