INDIA AND CANADA
SIGN MoU ON GEOMATICS TO TAKE SCIENTIFIC CO-OP FORWARD
India and Canada
signed here today a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and
strengthen cooperation in the field of Geomatics. It provides
a framework for cooperation not only in this field but also other
areas of mutual interest. The agreement also provides for implementing
arrangements that spell out the specific form of collaboration
including funding, intellectual property and liability. It was
signed by Mr. Y. P. Kumar, Head, International Division, Department
of Science and Technology and Mr. Irwin Itzkovitch, Assistant
Deputy Minister Earth Sciences, Department of Natural Resources,
Canada in the presence of the Minister of State for Science and
Technology Shri Bachi Singh Rawat and the Indian-born Canadian
Minister for Natural Resources Mr. Herb Dhaliwal.
The areas identified
for cooperation in geomatics include geospatial information and
spatial data infrastructure; geographic and land information systems;
remote sensing applications and techniques; topographic, aeronautical
and thematic mapping; geodetic surveys; development of geomatic
technologies and their applications etc.
Earlier, Mr. Dhaliwal
said, Canada is discovering a new India and there is tremendous
scope for cooperation between the two sides in various fields
particularly relating to alternate sources of energy, hydrogen
energy, fuel cells, gas hydrates, development of bio-diesel, ethanol
from biomass, wind energy, solar energy and energy-efficient technologies.
Commending India for the advancements in science and technology,
Mr. Dhaliwal said, the two countries can also cooperate in subjects
relating to clean environment and climate change and adaptation.
The focus of cooperation will be science and technology, as Canada
attaches great importance to relations with India, he said.
Reciprocating the
sentiments, Shri Bachi Singh Rawat said, the new S&T Policy
underscores that for science and technology to grow, it must be
green, be ethical, have a human face, gender sensitive, region
and context specific, reflecting the enormous plurality and diversity
of India. He described today’s MoU as the beginning of a sound
and solid cooperation with Canada in Science and Technology. It
should not be confined to geomatics alone, but spread to various
other areas, for mutual benefit, he said.
