Date: 2026-05-25Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
High-level delegation led by Dr Eva Ortega-Paíno, Secretary General, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Govt of Spain, calls on Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
**Executive Summary**
On May 25, 2026, a high-level Spanish delegation led by Dr. Eva Ortega-Paíno met with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to strengthen bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration in astrophysics, emerging technologies, and industrial research while reviewing the progress of their decade-long partnership. Both nations committed to expanding their engagement into new thematic areas and fostering stronger linkages between academia and industry.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Primary Areas of Collaboration**
* **Astrophysics and Space:** Discussions centered on deepening astrophysics collaboration and expanding cooperation in other mega-science initiatives of mutual interest.
* **Emerging Technologies:** Focus areas include artificial intelligence, digital transformation, advanced materials, and space sciences.
* **Health and Biotechnology:** The nations exchanged views on promoting research in biomedical sciences, oncology, digital health, medical devices, and biotechnology.
* **Sustainability:** Collaborative efforts will target the circular economy and innovation-driven environmental solutions.
**Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem**
* **Stakeholder Participation:** The Minister highlighted the growing involvement of startups, innovators, and industry players under the India-Spain collaborative framework.
* **Industrial R&D:** Both sides noted that bilateral engagement has generated productive research outcomes and commercially relevant technologies benefiting both ecosystems.
* **Institutional Linkages:** The meeting emphasized the need for greater synergy between academic institutions, scientific organizations, and industrial sectors.
**Strategic Future Goals**
* **Expanding Scope:** Both countries agreed to explore new thematic areas aligned with emerging global scientific priorities and technological transformations.
* **Knowledge Sharing:** A reaffirmed commitment was made to build stronger partnerships for research, industrial development, and the exchange of knowledge in the coming years.
**Impact Analysis**
**Research Institutions and Scientists**
**Impact**
They gain expanded opportunities for high-level collaboration in specialized fields such as astrophysics, oncology, and advanced materials.
**Action Required**
Scientists should seek to establish institutional linkages and participate in upcoming bilateral mega-science initiatives and innovation networks.
**Industry and Startups**
**Impact**
The partnership creates new avenues for technology development, innovation-led growth, and access to commercially relevant research outcomes.
**Action Required**
Private sector entities should engage with the India-Spain collaborative framework to leverage R&D outcomes and industrial innovation opportunities.
**Government Agencies (Department of Science and Technology & Spanish Ministry of Science)**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for steering the bilateral engagement and ensuring it aligns with emerging global scientific priorities.
**Action Required**
Officials must continue reviewing ongoing cooperation mechanisms and facilitate the identification of new thematic areas for future partnerships.
Key Entities Referenced
India-Spain collaborative framework: The bilateral framework under which industry, startups, and research institutions from both countries engage in scientific and technological cooperation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, who hosted the delegation and represents the Indian government in the bilateral discussions.
Dr. Eva Ortega-Paíno: Secretary General of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Government of Spain, who led the high-level Spanish delegation to India.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The primary Indian government department involved in executing the bilateral science and technology engagement with Spain.
Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI): The Spanish entity participating in the delegation to review and strengthen industrial R&D and institutional linkages.
Ministry of Science & Technology
High-level delegation led by Dr Eva Ortega-
Paíno, Secretary General, Ministry of Science,
Innovation and Universities, Govt of Spain, calls
on Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
Discussions held primarily on Astrophysics collaboration as
well as strengthening India-Spain cooperation in science,
technology and innovation
Dr Jitendra Singh lauds the growing participation of industry,
startups, innovators and research institutions under the India-
Spain collaborative framework
Posted On: 25 MAY 2026 7:12PM by PIB Delhi
A high-level delegation led by Dr. Eva Ortega-Paíno, Secretary General, Ministry of Science, Innovation
and Universities, Govt of Spain, called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science &
Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions,
Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh at Kartvaya Bhawan, here today and today held high-level
discussions primarily on astrophysics collaboration as well as strengthening India-Spain cooperation in
science, technology and innovation, with focus on emerging technologies, industrial research, innovation-
driven partnerships and astrophysics.
The meeting reflected the growing momentum in India-Spain scientific engagement and the shared
commitment of both countries to deepen collaboration in futuristic and technology-driven sectors. The
discussions covered areas including circular economy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence,
advanced materials, digital health, medical devices, biotechnology, space sciences and industrial
innovation.
The Spanish delegation was led by Dr. Eva Ortega-Paíno, Secretary General, Ministry of Science,
Innovation and Universities, Spain. The delegation also included Dr. José Moisés Martín, Director-
General, Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI). Senior officials and scientists
from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for the Ministry of Science of Technology (Govt
of India) and associated scientific institutions participated in the meeting.
Dr. Jitendra Singh appreciated the decade-long India-Spain partnership in industrial R&D and said that the
bilateral science and technology engagement has steadily expanded into several cutting-edge domains. He
expressed satisfaction that collaborative programmes between the two countries have generated productive
research outcomes and commercially relevant technologies benefiting industries and innovation
ecosystems on both sides.The Minister welcomed the growing participation of industries, startups, innovators and research
institutions under the India-Spain collaborative framework and said the partnership has created new
opportunities for technology development, innovation-led growth and scientific advancement.
During the discussions, both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation mechanisms and explored ways to
further strengthen institutional linkages, industry participation and researcher collaborations. The meeting
also witnessed discussions on expanding cooperation in astrophysics and other mega-science initiatives of
mutual interest.
India and Spain also exchanged views on promoting collaboration in biomedical sciences, oncology
research, biotechnology and innovation networks, while encouraging greater synergy between academic
institutions, scientific organizations and industries.
The two sides acknowledged that India-Spain cooperation in science and technology has evolved
significantly over the past two decades and agreed to explore new thematic areas aligned with emerging
global scientific priorities and technological transformations.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of India and Spain to further deepen bilateral cooperation in
science, technology and innovation and to build stronger partnerships for research, industrial development
and knowledge-sharing in the years ahead.*****
NKR/AK/FT/NM
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