India makes fresh push for CERN membership

NEW DELHI: India on Monday made a fresh push towards seeks associate membership of prestigious European Organisation for Nuclear Research, popularly known as CERN.

A high-level delegation of the Geneva-based scientific body met Union Minister for Science and Technlogy Harsh Vardha and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh.

“We have reiterated our committments towards the CERN and take it forward,” Vardhan said.

Indian scientists from the Departments of Atomic Energy and Science and Technology have been actively participating and collaborating with CERN.

The application to become associated member of the body was mooted by the government in August 2015.

The delegation also discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest including the status of India’s application for the associate membership of CERN.

The major advantage of associate membership of CERN is that it will entitle India to become a part of a huge scientific and technological endeavour.

Opportunity

This will also offer an opportunity to Indian industry to bid for CERN contracts for industrial collaboration in advanced technologies.

The delegation was led by Charlotte Warakaulle, Director for International Relations and Task Force Convenor, Olivier Martin, Eckhard Elsen, Rudiger Voss, Maurizio Vretenar and Sue Foffano.