NEW DELHI, October 14, 2024: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other key portfolios, called for enhanced bilateral collaboration between India and Sweden, emphasizing innovation, green technology, and sustainable development. Speaking at the 11th India-Sweden Innovation Day (ISID) event, themed “Accelerating Green Growth for Inclusive Transition,” Dr. Singh highlighted the growing ties between the two nations in key areas of research and innovation.
Dr. Singh noted India’s rapid rise on the Global Innovation Index (GII), where India ranked 1st among the 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia and 39th among the 133 global economies in 2024. Similarly, Sweden was recognized as one of the world’s innovation leaders, ranking 2nd among European economies and globally. The Minister expressed optimism that India will soon ascend to the top echelons of global innovation.
Dr. Singh lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India at global benchmarks in science and technology, underscoring India’s commitment to achieving a net zero carbon footprint by 2070. He called for deeper India-Sweden collaboration in areas such as government, non-government sectors, startups, and industrial entrepreneurship.
The Minister also highlighted significant advancements in India’s science and technology sectors under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, pointing to ambitious projects such as India’s first indigenously developed human space mission and the Deep-Sea Mission, both planned for next year. These, he said, are examples of India’s growing prowess in cutting-edge technological innovation.
The India-Sweden partnership in green technology is set to be bolstered by initiatives like LeadIT 2.0, which focuses on low-carbon industrial transitions, sustainable energy, and smart transport. This collaboration, spotlighted at COP28, aims to drive green innovations in critical sectors such as steel, cement, and aviation, with a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Additionally, Sweden has officially joined India’s Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), furthering the countries’ space collaboration. The Swedish Space Corporation and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are working together, with Sweden contributing the Venusian Neutrals Analyser (VNA) to the mission.
Dr. Singh emphasized that the potential for further collaboration between India and Sweden remains vast, especially in delivering scalable, cost-effective solutions in energy, health, and other crucial sectors. Both countries are keen to leverage their strengths in innovation, research, and development to address global challenges.
The event saw the participation of senior officials, innovators, and industry leaders from both nations. Sweden’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Energy and Enterprise, Ebba Busch, and the Ambassador of Sweden to India, Jan Thesleff, also joined the event via video conferencing, reaffirming Sweden’s commitment to the collaboration.
