In a significant move to bolster international scientific collaboration, India and Mauritius on Thursday, September 11, 2025, formalized several agreements aimed at deepening cooperation in science, technology, and space. During bilateral talks in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam oversaw the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
A key outcome includes an MoU on cooperation in the field of Science and Technology between India's Department of Science and Technology and Mauritius' Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research. Additionally, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Oceanography and the Mauritius Oceanography Institute signed a pact. The agreements extend to academic collaboration, with IIT-Madras and the Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru, entering into MoUs with the University of Mauritius. Further strengthening space ties, an agreement was signed for the establishment of a telemetry, tracking, and telecommunications station for satellites and launch vehicles, alongside broader cooperation in space research and applications. India also announced a decision to establish a new directorate of science and technology in Mauritius and will support a 17.5 MW floating solar PV project at Tamarind Falls.
Domestically, India is accelerating its focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductor manufacturing, crucial for achieving its "developed nation" status by 2047. At the Swadesh Conclave 2025 held on September 3, 2025, government and industry leaders underscored the centrality of AI, announcing a ₹10,000 crore fund to promote and regulate AI technologies. Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, declared India's entry into semiconductor manufacturing with the launch of a "made-in-India chip," emphasizing that "the age of oil is over—this is the era of the semiconductor chip." This aligns with earlier statements indicating the first made-in-India chip from a commercial fab is expected by September or October 2025. Furthermore, Aakrit Vaish, former advisor to the IndiaAI mission, unveiled 'Activate,' a new AI fund with an ambitious $75 million target to foster innovation within India's burgeoning AI landscape.
The push for technological sovereignty was highlighted in an editorial, stressing India's need to reduce dependence on foreign software by building indigenous open-source solutions. India is also advancing its Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) through initiatives like the development of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) such as MAYA, AMOGH, and ADAMYA, and the Matsya 6000 manned submersible under the Samudrayaan project for deep-sea research. The Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) has been deployed in Port Blair to enhance maritime monitoring.
International partnerships continue to play a vital role. The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) convened its 3rd Annual Technology Conference in New Delhi, focusing on emerging technologies like AI, fintech, clean tech, and digital infrastructure to strengthen bilateral trade and contribute to India's Digital India and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions. Similarly, the India Australia RISE Accelerator program, a collaboration between CSIRO and India's Atal Innovation Mission, is helping startups globalize their climate-tech solutions, leveraging Australia-India expansion as a launchpad.