Speaking to a crowd of 1,200 scientists, engineers, and high-tech workers at Hyderabad's High Tech City, President Clinton announced the inauguration of an Indo-U.S. High Level Dialogue on Science and Technology.

 The President noted that the High Level Dialogue was an important step in spurring further collaboration between two countries that share many common interests, are homes to the largest scientific populations in the world, and possess thriving high technology industries.

 The High Level Dialogue on Science and Technology brings together ranking government officials from both countries to strengthen the relationship across the breadth of our science and technology interests.  At the inaugural meeting, the two sides explored expanding collaboration in the areas of biotechnology and agricultural productivity, energy efficiency, environmentally sound industrial processes, the relationship between the environment and health, and new frontiers of science and technology such as information technology and nanotechnology.

 The President's Science Advisor, Neal Lane, noted that our countries have a strong base for expanding cooperation, with Indian high technology executives making up a large and growing proportion of Silicon Valley CEOs, and Indian professors making up a third of the international faculty in the U.S.  He further observed that these ties have their roots in the vital exchange of scientists and engineers that has developed over the decades, ties that we much continue to promote.

 The High Level Dialogue will also promote the Science and Technology Forum, signed on Tuesday, which will catalyze cooperative activities by bringing together senior scientists from industry, academia, and the government to identify specific areas of promise.  Modeled on the Government, University, Industry Research Roundtable of the National Research Council, the Forum will draw on the resources and expertise of all sectors of the economy to foster cooperative initiatives.

 The Director of the National Science Foundation, Rita Colwell, noted that the High Level Dialogue and the Forum will together play a valuable role in stimulating cooperation through closer communication among policy makers and the greater exchange of ideas among the brightest scientific minds in both countries.
 
 
 

Office of Science and Technology Policy
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W
Washington, DC 20502
202.395.7347
Information@ostp.eop.gov

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