Singapore: Academia Sinica of Taiwan and the Indian National Science Academy have signed an agreement on scientific cooperation between the two institutions.

Dr Chi-Huey Wong, president of Academia Sinica, and Dr Krishan Lal, president of the Indian National Science Academy, signed a revised agreement on October 29, 2012, at Academia Sinica on behalf of their respective academies. It is hoped that the agreement will foster closer future collaboration between the two academies. It will promote a cooperative relationship, including such activities as exchange visits by scientists, joint workshops and symposia, and joint research projects.

The two institutions signed their first collaborative agreement with each other in 2004. Since that time, visits between these two academies have been frequent and former Indian academy presidents Dr Mamannamana Vijayan and Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar were invited to participate in the Academy Presidents' Forum held at Academia Sinica in 2008.

During their current stay in Taiwan, Dr Lal and the delegation accompanying him also attended the 23rd Council for Science Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) International Conference, which was held at Academia Sinica from October 28 to 30, 2012.

The Indian National Science Academy was established in 1935 with the object of promoting science in India and harnessing scientific knowledge for the cause of humanity and national welfare. It is the apex body of the Indian scientists representing all branches of science and technology and plays a crucial role in promoting, recognizing and rewarding excellence. The academy has more than 800 fellows.