The government approved signing of an agreement between India and Senegal in the field of health and medicine which includes cooperation in AIDS control, integrated disease surveillance and emergency relief. A working group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this pact, as per the decision of the Union Cabinet taken this evening.

The areas of cooperation include medical research, hospital management, drugs and pharmaceutical products and hospital equipments, traditional medicine and other areas of mutual interest.

The Cabinet was also apprised of the Framework Agreement between India and Vietnam on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes. The Framework Agreement was signed on September 3, 2016.

The agreement will enable pursuing the potential interest areas of cooperation such as space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite-based navigation; space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology.

The Cabinet was also apprised of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of cooperation between Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science and Technology and Bpifrance, a public investment bank of France.

The agreement will ensure exchange of best practices and setting up of coordinated measures to foster technological exchanges in the field of science, technology and innovation through collaboration between companies, organisations and institutions of France and India.