IANS/Stockholm/New Delhi
India and Sweden yesterday inked six agreements, including in the field of polar research and for boosting trade, during the visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to the key Arctic Council member, in the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state.
Mukherjee is on a five-day visit to Sweden and Belarus.
Among the agreements inked is a memorandum of understanding on Co-operation in Sustainable Urban Development, which includes dialogue and interaction on global sustainable urban development issues, exchange of knowledge, institutional co-operation including capacity building, research and development and commercial relations regarding sustainable urban development, according to a ministry of external affairs statement.
The two countries also inked an MoU for co-operation in the field of micro, small and medium enterprises. This aims at promoting partnership projects, institution-to-institution and enterprise-to-enterprise co-operation relating to MSMEs, encourage exchange of information and experiences in policy setting and research on the development of MSMEs, feasibility studies to identify thrust areas and opportunities for development of MSMEs and facilitating exchange of business mission.
They also inked an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic passports.
A letter of intent was also signed between India’s Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat (SPRS) on collaboration in polar and ocean research. This is to encourage collaboration in the areas of polar (Antarctic and Arctic) and ocean research by enhancing scientific capabilities, conducting joint research and survey activities, exchange of informational material on education, training and research matters, the statement said.
Another MoU was between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare (FORTE) for recording the intention of both institutions to co-operate in the field of ageing research and health.
India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) signed an agreement for increasing co-operation in the fields of pharmacovigilance, electronic submissions in related matter, clinical trials, drugs, medical devices and diagnostic kits, cosmetic and hygiene products and for exchange of information and experiences regarding good manufacturing practice.
Pranab Mukherjee arrives for a boat trip to Hammarby Sjoestad and roundtable discussion about u201cSmart Citiesu201d in Stockholm yesterday.
