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Proposition of Ukraine-India collaboration from the participants of Ukraine-Indian Forum, March 15, 2024

The Ukrainian-Indian Forum, held on March 15, 2024, brought together statesmen and officials, politicians, business representatives, leading scientists and experts from Ukraine and India on one platform. Institutional and personal contacts were established between some participants, which will further contribute to the intensification of ties between the peoples of Ukraine and India. Both sides continue to think about how to improve relations between the countries at both the state and civil society levels. These considerations have resulted in the recommendations below.

Technological collaboration

SINERGIA, Bengaluru

Scope

  • Existing Technological Collaborations between India and Ukraine.
  • Impetus to Existing and Exploring New Collaborations.
  • Comprehensive Bilateral Agreements.

Existing Tech Collaborations Between India and Ukraine

India and Ukraine have a successful collaboration in technology and science, with diverse areas of cooperation, showcasing a strong partnership between the two nations.The Joint S&T Committee, established in May 1992, meets annually to discuss projects. There is a need to give impetus to the existing collaborations.

Space Sector: National Space Agency of Ukraine and ISRO have ongoing cooperation in the space sector. This includes joint satellite launches using Indian rockets and Ukrainian satellites, as well as scientific cooperation on space research projects.

Information Tech: India’s IT industry has partnered with Ukrainian IT firms on various projects includes joint software development and IT services outsourcing. Aptech Limited from Mumbai signing agreements with the International Institute of Personnel Management, Ukraine.

DefenceTech: India and Ukraine have a strong relationship in defense cooperation includes joint development and production of defense equipment, as well as collaboration on R&D projects.

Agricultural Tech:  With both countries being major agricultural producers, India and Ukraine have partnered on agricultural technology initiatives. This includes collaboration on developing new crop varieties, improving irrigation techniques, and sharing knowledge on agricultural machinery.

Bio-Tech Sector: Both countries are cooperating in the biotechnology sector, with companies like Biocon and Genome engaging in joint efforts.

Opportunities for EnhancingTechnological Collaboration.

  1. Space Technology: India has a robust space program, while Ukraine has a rich heritage in:
  • Space exploration initiatives,
  • Aerospace engineering,
  • Advanced Rocket Technology,
  • Space Material science.
  1. Artificial Intelligence: India is a major IT hub, while Ukraine too has a large pool of skilled IT professionals.Both countries must actively develope AI applications. Collaboration can lead to advancements in areas like
  • Tech Solutions & joint software development,
  • Machine learning,
  • Natural language processing.
  1. Telecommunications: India has a large and growing telecom sector, while Ukraine has expertise in:
  • Satellite comn tech – integrating satl tech into India’s existing network,
  • Next-generation telecom infrastructure and services,
  • Cyber Security Solutions- India is a growing digital economy, but cybersecurity threats are a major concern. Ukraine has a strong pool of cybersecurity professionals and experience defending critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.
  • Collaboration / co-development of advanced security solutions,
  • Information sharing on emerging threats,
  • Training programmes for Indian cybersecurity professionals.
  1. Defence Technology: Both nations have well-established defence sectors. Joint ventures can focus on:
  • Co-development of weapon systems,
  • ISR technology transfer,
  • Military Aircraft engines/ spares,
  • Submarine Engine technology.
  1. Renewable Energy: India is looking to diversify its energy mix, while Ukraine has expertise in:
  • Solar and Wind power generation,
  • Collaboration in RE technologies,
  • Setting up manufacturing facilities,
  • Supplying turbines for power plants – thermal, hydroelectric and nuclear plants.
  1. Biotechnology: India has a strong pharmaceutical industry, while Ukraine has expertise in genetic engineering. Collaboration can lead to advancements in vaccine development, drug development and pharma R&D.
  2. Nano Technology: Both countries have ongoing research programs in nanotechnology. Joint efforts can focus on developing nanomaterials for various applications, such as:
  • Electronics,
  • Medicine,
  • Energy
  1. Agriculture Technology: India is a major agricultural producer, while Ukraine has expertise in precision agriculture techniques. Collaboration can address challenges:
  • Crop yield improvement,
  • Soil management,
  • Sustainable farming practices,
  • Irrigation Tech.
  1. Education and Training: Collaboration in education and training programs can help develop a
  • Future workforce skilled in emerging technologies.
  • Student exchange programs,
  • Joint research projects,
  • Faculty development initiatives.

Comprehensive Bilateral Agreements

  • Prioritise specific opportunities for Tech collaborations.
  • Working groups to jointly examine each proposal.
  • Agreements to implement proposals in a time bound manner.

By leveraging the complementary strengths, India and Ukraine can become leaders in technological innovation on the global stage.

India – Ukraine Interparliamentary cooperation

Yulia Klymenko, Secretary of the Group for Interpar liamentary Relations with the Republic of India, Member of Parliament of Ukraine.

  • Intensify parliamentary cooperation between Ukraine-India friendship groups. Including in 2024 a joint delegation of the Verkhovna Rada + the Cabinet of Ministers (Ministry of Economy, Agro, Infrastructure and Strategic Industries) + business + academic and public sectors to visit India.
  • To hold a scientific conference on the results of the elections in India (Yulia Klymenko, Secretary of the Group for Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of India, Member of Parliament of Ukraine ).

India – Ukraine bussiness cooperation

Yulia Klymenko, Secretary of the Group for Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of India, Member of Parliament of Ukraine.

  • Invite an Indian delegation in the fall of 2024 and hold a business forum at that time.

India – Ukraine cooperation in education 

Yulia Klymenko, Secretary of the Group for Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of India, Member of Parliament of Ukraine.

  • Sign agreements/memorandums of cooperation between universities of Ukraine and India

India – Ukraine collaboration in media sphere

Ram Dange, Deputy Chairman of the Ukraine-India Society, founder of Indrayani Overseas and Gala Foods

India’s media sphere is lack of information about Russia-Ukraine war and Indian media is dominated by the Russian point of view. There are steps to change it.

  • To create the information bulletin revealing the war events where the Indian journalists will take participation;
  • To create a video with a strong message on war events in Ukraine (Bucha, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Odesa) where the Indian journalists will take participation;
  • Such bulletin/video can be sponsored by Western countries;
  • Bulletin will be shown in India on the main important TV channels as well as the journals there in India.
  • To make an event like the recent Forum, but with big media coverage. 

Ukraine – India Collaboration in Cinematography

Stanislav Martyniuk, civil activist

  • Create a production base in Ukraine to translate films and TV series from and into Indian languages
  • Establish an exchange of film and television products to which state agencies in both countries have rights
  • Hold a Ukrainian-Indian forum for professionals in the field of film and television production
  • Harmonize legislation in the field of film production, in particular, provide for subsidies (rebates) for filming for film crews from both countries, following the example of agreements between India and the United Kingdom, India and the United States
  • Establish an exchange of students studying languages (translators) and those studying to become film producers (directors, cameramen, etc.)
  • Hold a festival of Ukrainian cinema in India and a festival of Indian cinema in Ukraine
  • Screen several Indian TV series in Ukraine, such as Mahabharat (2013) and Devon ke dev Mahadev (2013), to familiarize Ukrainian audiences with the cultural heritage and worldview of Indians. This will help Ukrainians better understand Indians.
  • Show a selection of 50 Ukrainian films in India that will form a pro-Ukrainian image in the minds of Indian viewers as opposed to Russian propaganda in India
  • Actively engage Indian actors and musicians as Goodwill Ambassadors
  • Develop co-production of feature films and documentaries

Ukraine – India collaboration in publishing industry

Valentyna Vitkova PhD, Director, Publishing House “Asiatica”

As a publisher of popular scientific literature, we see the following key points for development:

  • India has a rich cultural heritage, which can be presented through popular science publications about its history, architecture, religion, philosophy and traditions;
  • India also has a long tradition in the fields of philosophy, medicine, mathematics and astronomy, which can be represented through popular science books;
  • India is also one of the leaders in the development of modern technologies and scientific research. The publication of joint scientific research and monographs can strengthen the scientific communities of both countries and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience;
  • participation in Indian Book Fairs and Exhibitions.It is necessary to take part in reputed Indian book fairs (New Delhi World Book Fair, Jaipur Literature Festival, etc.), which may provide us with an opportunity to introduce our books to the Indian audience and establish contacts with publishers and authors. In particular, in January 2025 Asiatica Publishing house is going to attend the Chennai Book Fair;
  • organizing the exchange of authors and experts between Ukraine and India (common research projects, exchange of experience and organizing joint lectures and seminars) can contribute to the creation of new books and popular scientific works.

Here are a few directions that we see in the future within the framework of Ukrainian-Indian cooperation in the publishing field:

  • book catalogue replenishment. The publishing catalogue always serves as an important tool for establishing effective cooperation in the publishing industry. It is necessary to enrich our catalogue with works by authors from India, offering Ukrainian readers even more literary works and other projects;
  • partnerships with authors and publishers: to look actively for new authors and work with publishing houses to present new and unique works to our readers;
  • market expansion: to study development prospects not only in the Ukrainian market, but also at the international level;
  • expanding cooperation with educational institutions: to cooperate with educational and research institutions in Ukraine and abroad;
  • to support research activities and publish scientific works,monographsand articles related to the study and research of various aspects of Indian culture, history, religion and other areas;
  • to publish translated works in order to provide Ukrainian readers with a wide range of literature from India, including access to unique texts.

In addition, the following vectors are undoubtedly important for the development of Ukrainian-Indian relations in the publishing industry:

  • the exchange of literature and books. The prospect here is to increase the exchange of books and literature between Ukraine and India;
  • joint publishing projects: collaboration in creating common books and series is possible;
  • opportunity to exchange experience and know-how in the field of publishing, marketing and book promotion;
  • the establishment of common literary journals and publishing series to promote Ukrainian and Indian literature on the international market;
  • the development of online presence: to develop websites and other online platforms in order to popularize books and establish a closer connection with audience;

Each of these perspectives has its own unique advantages.