On Tuesday, India and Lithuania agreed to collaborate on deep tech startups as well as establish long-term ties in semiconductor chip manufacturing.

A high-level Lithuanian delegation led by Economy and Innovation Vice Minister Karolis Aemaitis met with Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday to discuss ways and means to resurrect the 2010 science and technology agreement.

Responding to the Indian minister's keen interest in boosting startup culture to create more job opportunities and wealth creation, Aemaitis assured him that Lithuania has strong know-how and capacities in life sciences, biotechnology, and other STEM areas, and that the two countries are eager to collaborate on high-tech startups.

Singh stated that India has made rapid advances in science, technology, and innovation in the last nine years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that India is ready to assist its long-standing partner in any way. He stated that, aside from rapid and globally recognised achievements in space, its biotech laurels in terms of four indigenous COVID vaccines are before the world.

The Lithuanian Minister stated that a global MNC from his country, "Teltonika," is collaborating with Taiwan for the manufacture of sophisticated chips. The company also has a presence in India and can take chip collaboration to new heights in the coming years.

Since 2010, the Department of Science and Technology has been negotiating a Science and Technology Agreement with Lithuania through the MEA. A revised Indian counter-draft with a few minor changes was formally submitted to the Lithuanian side in April 2010, and its formal response is still pending.