Collaborative efforts on science and technology between India and Japan have started much ahead of prime minister, Narendra Modi's visit to the technology savvy nation. Infact, Japan has shown keen interest in Indian biotechnology research initiatives, with increasing number of joint efforts to develop solutions in various disease areas.

"India will soon revive the joint Indo-Japan science and technology committee for a more effective coordination between the two important Asian nations", said Dr Jitendra Singh, union minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology and earth sciences, while welcoming the Japanese minister for science and technology Mr Hakubun Shimomura, during his visit.

Dr Singh also suggested the launch of a comprehensive Fellowship Program for India and Japan Researchers in order to build national talent capacity in both the countries, to his Japanese counter-part. The minister also proposed establishing an India-Japan joint center in India in the area of "Life Sciences and Biotechnology" to look at the emerging challenges of disease biology in Asia.

Mr Shimomura appreciated the suggestions and proposals made by Dr Singh and said that the cooperation between the two countries should enable India and Japan to move to a higher level of strategy engagement for providing leadership amongst Asian nations. This would also help in addressing the social needs in Health, Food, Energy and Disaster Management through the application of Science and Technology.