India And Norway Strengthen Science Innovation Partnership
India and Norway have expanded their bilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation through a series of agreements signed in Oslo during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway. The agreements, signed on 18 May 2026, aim to deepen collaboration in clean energy, offshore wind, sustainability, geosciences and academic exchange.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, formalised five key partnerships with leading Norwegian research, academic and industrial organisations. The initiatives seek to strengthen institutional collaboration, support innovation-led development and promote sustainable growth in both countries.
India And Norway Expand Research Cooperation
The agreements were signed under the leadership of Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR, alongside senior representatives from Norwegian partner institutions.
One of the major agreements is a Memorandum of Understanding between DSIR/CSIR and the Research Council of Norway (RCN). The partnership focuses on research cooperation, technology development, innovation and capacity building.
The MoU includes plans for joint workshops, collaborative research and development projects, scientist exchange programmes and regular review mechanisms. Furthermore, the collaboration will address global challenges linked to climate, clean energy, oceans and healthcare while supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Focus On Clean Energy And Offshore Wind
CSIR also signed a collaboration agreement for the 2026–2029 period with Stiftelsen SINTEF, Norway’s leading independent research organisation. The partnership builds on an earlier agreement signed in 2014.
The collaboration will support research and innovation in circularity and sustainability transition. Key areas include bio-based materials and processes, ocean energy, offshore wind systems, carbon capture, storage and utilisation, as well as waste valorisation.
In addition, a project-specific collaboration agreement on ocean energy and offshore wind energy was signed between several CSIR institutes and SINTEF institutions.
The Indian partners include CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) and CSIR-Fourth Paradigm Institute (CSIR-4PI). The Norwegian side includes SINTEF Ocean, SINTEF Digital, FME NorthWind and SINTEF Community.
The joint programme aims to strengthen India’s offshore renewable energy capabilities. It will focus on floating offshore wind technologies, reducing Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), ESG and sustainability standards, pilot projects, industrial growth and skill development.
CSIR has allocated approximately ₹341 lakh to support the initiative.
Academic And Geoscience Partnerships Receive Boost
A Joint Declaration of Intent titled “Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation for the Green Shift” was also signed between CSIR, the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
The declaration promotes cooperation in sustainability, circular economy, ocean science, healthcare and infrastructure engineering technologies. It also encourages student and faculty mobility, joint academic programmes, research collaboration and scientific exchanges.
Meanwhile, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Emerald Geomodelling.
The agreement focuses on geoscience-based solutions for large infrastructure projects in India. The partnership will cover joint research projects, geophysical survey planning, data analysis, modelling activities, technical advisory support and training programmes.
These agreements mark a significant step in strengthening India–Norway cooperation in science, technology and innovation. They are expected to support long-term institutional partnerships, collaborative research and sustainable development initiatives in both countries.
With inputs from PIB