India and Canada are to sign an umbrella agreement for mutual cooperation in research programmes in science and technology. The focus areas covered by the agreement include nanotechnology and nanoscience, biotechnology, health research and medical devices. The agreement that is to be in place later this year is expected to give a boost to the research activities taking place in both the countries and to help the transfer of technologies from laboratories to the market place.

According to Kapil Sibal, minister for science and technology, the comprehensive bilateral agreement will encompass a wide range of areas from research to design, production, innovation and close interaction between the academia and the industry.

The Canadian High Commissioner to India, Lucie Edwards said that the recently released Canadian International Policy Statement paid significant attention to India as well as Science and Technology and suggested key initiatives to support partnerships in this sector with key markets, like India.

Sibal informed that Canada will be the partner country in this year's Technology Summit and Technology Platform to be held in New Delhi during September 21-22 and jointly hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Department of Science & Technology. He said that some of the best research institutions of Canada would participate at this summit and seek partnerships with Indian organisations. Sibal said that in this era of globalisation, the role of the government is increasingly changing from that of a regulator to a facilitator.