India, Norway forge strategic science & innovation ties with five key agreements
New Delhi, May 19
India and Norway deepened their strategic science and innovation partnership through new bilateral agreements, as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, signed five key agreements in Norway covering clean energy, offshore wind, sustainability, geosciences, and academic collaboration.
According to the Ministry of Science & Technology, the agreements were signed in Oslo on May 18, 2026, during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Norway.
N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR, led the Indian delegation alongside senior representatives from various Norwegian research, academic, and industrial organizations. The collaborations aim to expand bilateral linkages in research, innovation, and technology development while promoting institutional partnerships, startup engagement, and sustainable growth initiatives.
Under these initiatives, DSIR/CSIR and the Research Council of Norway (RCN) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
According to the Ministry of Science & Technology, this specific agreement "seeks to promote cooperation in research, technology development, innovation and capacity building." The framework outlines plans for joint workshops, collaborative R&D projects, and exchange visits focusing on global challenges, climate, clean energy, oceans, and health.
Furthermore, CSIR finalized a Collaboration Agreement (2026-2029) with Stiftelsen SINTEF, an independent research organization in Norway. This agreement operates under an existing 2014 MoU framework.
The Ministry of Science & Technology noted that "the collaboration focuses on circularity and sustainability transition through joint research and innovation programmes in areas such as bio-based processes and materials, innovation hubs, ocean energy, including offshore wind and hybrid systems, carbon capture, storage and utilization, and waste valorization."
A separate Project Specific Collaboration Agreement on Ocean Energy and Offshore Wind Energy was established between SINTEF institutions and multiple CSIR institutes, including the Structural Engineering Research Centre, National Aerospace Laboratories, National Institute of Oceanography, and the Fourth Paradigm Institute. This project involves a CSIR funding support of approximately Rs 341 lakh.
The Ministry of Science & Technology stated that "the collaboration aims to strengthen India's capacity in offshore renewable energy technologies and contribute to national renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals."
Additionally, CSIR, the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) signed a Joint Declaration of Intent titled "Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation for the Green Shift."
The Ministry of Science & Technology stated that "the declaration focuses on sustainability, circular economy, ocean science and technology, healthcare, and civil and infrastructure engineering technologies."
In the field of geosciences, the CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) signed a five-year MoU with Emerald Geomodelling. The Ministry of Science & Technology detailed that the pact aims "to establish scientific and business collaboration for geoscience-based solutions for large infrastructure projects in India." These combined agreements mark a new milestone in India-Norway science and technology cooperation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great initiative! The collaboration on ocean energy and offshore wind is crucial for India's renewable energy targets. Though I wish there was more emphasis on technology transfer to benefit local startups in smaller cities. Still, a step in the right direction.
As someone working in sustainability, this is music to my ears! Bio-based processes, carbon capture, waste valorization... these are the areas where India can leapfrog. Hope the implementation is as good as the signing. 🤞
Strategic move by PM Modi. Norway's expertise in offshore wind and green technology combined with India's scale and innovation could yield amazing results. The geoscience collaboration for infrastructure projects is also a smart addition.
Good news, but I hope these agreements don't just remain on paper. We need concrete outcomes and job creation for our youth in these cutting-edge fields. The Rs 341 lakh funding is a start, but more investment is needed.
This is what global diplomacy should look like—collaboration on real issues like climate change and clean energy. The joint workshops and exchange visits will be invaluable for Indian researchers. Proud moment! 🌍💚
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