S. Korea, India sign science, technology cooperation deal

SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and India agreed on a science and
technology program arrangement aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in such
areas as robotics, renewable energy and the biotech sector, the government said
Monday.
The education and science ministry said the pact signed in New Delhi on the
sidelines of President Lee Myung-bak's summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, is a follow-up to a comprehensive cooperation agreement reached
in February 2006.
It said the two sides have concurred to set aside a special US$10 million fund
that can fuel cross-border ties of experts, help facilitate joint research and
hold international conferences. Both sides will be tasked with coming up with $5
million.
The 2010-2012 arrangement signed between South Korea's science minister Ahn
Byong-man and his Indian counterpart Prithviraj Chavan, also outlines joint
efforts to develop chemicals, materials industry, water resources and environment
and information technology engineering.
The ministry, in addition, said that state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute
(KARI) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) signed a memorandum of
understanding to further seek ways for the peaceful use of space.
The KARI-ISRO pact outlines future cooperation in space communication, ways to
enhance capabilities of remote control probes and promote growth of space-related
sciences.
India is one of the top three space technology leaders in Asia. It has sent an
unmanned probe to the moon after such countries as China and Japan.
Other fields where cooperative tie-ups can take place are in space navigation and
application of long-distance control for probes.
The ministry, however, said that because India is not a member of the
international Missile Technology Control Regime, there will be no cooperation in
the development of rockets and satellites.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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