Israel and India agreed on the doubling of the joint fund for scientific research * and the two countries also signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of space
Avi Blizovsky
24.12.2003
Israel and India agreed today on doubling the joint fund for scientific research, and it will amount to one million dollars.
The fund has been operating for a decade, and within its framework 28 studies were carried out in the fields of biotechnology, agriculture and the human genome.
The joint statement on the intention to double the fund was issued at the end of a meeting held in India between the Minister of Science and Technology Eliezer (Modi) Zandberg, and his Indian counterpart Bachi Singh Rawat.
Minister Zandberg said that the increase of the joint fund will allow the expansion of the research fields into research fields that are essential for both countries, such as nano technology and water.
At the meeting between the ministers, the Indian Minister of Science expressed interest in the establishment of regional research and development centers, similar to the Israeli model in which the Ministry of Science and Technology operates ten research and development centers in the peripheral regions, including Kiryat Shmona, the Golan Heights, the Galilee, the Triangle, Samaria and the Jordan Valley, Judea, the Sea The Salt, Gush Katif, Mitzpe Ramon and Hezva.
Israel and India signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of space
1.11.2002
By: Amnon Barzilai
The countries may cooperate in placing an Israeli-developed telescope on an Indian satellite, in order to locate celestial bodies
Israel and India signed a space cooperation agreement last week. The agreement was signed in Bangalore between the head of the Israeli Space Agency, Col. (Ret.) Avi Har Even, and the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Dr. Kasturirangan and in the presence of Israel's Ambassador to India, David Afek.
The retiring Minister of Science, Culture and Sports, Matan Vilnai, who promoted the signing of the agreement, said that the signing has far-reaching consequences for both countries: "The cooperation will contribute to both countries regarding the development and promotion of science and space exploration," he said.
India is considered one of the most advanced countries in the world in the field of space, and its annual budget in this field is about half a billion dollars (compared to Israel's space budget, about 70 million dollars). In the talks between the representatives of the countries, it was proposed to place a telescope developed by Alup on a communication satellite developed by India. The satellite, which will be launched in about two years, will be placed at an altitude of 36 thousand km above the earth, and will search for celestial bodies.
The talks and discussions to sign the agreement with India lasted about seven years, since Benny Begin's tenure as Minister of Science. Israel has agreements in the field of space with the United States, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Ukraine, as well as a memorandum of understanding in this field with Russia.
