India and Norway Strengthen Scientific Cooperation with New Research and Innovation Agreements

India and Norway have taken a major step toward expanding bilateral cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and sustainable development following the signing of several strategic agreements in Oslo during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway.

The agreements were signed on 18 May 2026 between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, and leading Norwegian research, academic, and industrial institutions. The collaborations aim to deepen institutional partnerships, strengthen research and development initiatives, promote startup and industry engagement, and support sustainable growth in both countries.

The agreements were concluded under the leadership of Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR, alongside senior representatives from the partnering Norwegian organisations.

India and Norway Expand Scientific and Innovation Partnerships

The new agreements reflect growing India–Norway cooperation in areas such as clean energy, ocean technology, circular economy, sustainability, climate research, infrastructure, and advanced engineering.

Officials said the collaborations are designed to accelerate innovation-led development while addressing global challenges linked to climate change, renewable energy, sustainable industries, and environmental protection.

The partnerships also align with broader international Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and support both countries’ ambitions to strengthen green growth and technological cooperation.

CSIR and Research Council of Norway Sign Strategic MoU

One of the key agreements signed was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DSIR/CSIR and the Research Council of Norway (RCN).

The agreement focuses on promoting:

• Joint research and development programmes;

• Technology development;

• Innovation cooperation;

• Scientific exchange programmes;

• Capacity building initiatives, and

• Collaborative workshops and implementation mechanisms.

The partnership will also support exchange visits for scientists and researchers and establish periodic review mechanisms to monitor progress.

According to officials, the collaboration will prioritise areas related to major global challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• Climate change;

• Clean and renewable energy;

• Ocean and marine sciences, and

• Healthcare innovation.

CSIR and SINTEF Launch Sustainability and Circular Economy Partnership

CSIR also signed a major Collaboration Agreement for the period 2026–2029 with Stiftelsen SINTEF (SINTEF), Norway’s leading independent research organisation.

The agreement builds upon an earlier MoU signed between the two institutions in 2014 and focuses on accelerating sustainability and circular economy transitions.

Key areas of cooperation include:

• Bio-based materials and industrial processes;

• Circular economy innovation;

• Ocean energy technologies;

• Offshore wind and hybrid renewable systems;

• Carbon capture, storage and utilisation (CCUS), and

• Waste valorisation and resource recovery.

The partnership is expected to support research-driven industrial innovation and sustainable technological solutions for both countries.

Joint Offshore Wind and Ocean Energy Programme Launched

In another significant development, a project-specific collaboration agreement was signed between several CSIR institutes and SINTEF institutions focusing on ocean energy and offshore wind technologies.

The collaboration includes participation from:

Indian Institutions

• CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC)

• CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL)

• CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO)

• CSIR-Fourth Paradigm Institute (CSIR-4PI)

Norwegian Institutions

• SINTEF Ocean

• SINTEF Digital

• FME NorthWind

• SINTEF Community

The programme aims to strengthen India’s capabilities in offshore renewable energy technologies and contribute toward the country’s renewable energy expansion and carbon neutrality goals.

The collaboration will focus on:

• Floating offshore wind technologies;

• Reducing Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE);

• Sustainability and ESG considerations;

• Standardisation frameworks;

• Pilot demonstration projects;

• Skill development, and

• Industrial growth opportunities.

The CSIR funding support for the initiative is estimated at approximately ₹341 lakh.

Green Shift Cooperation with NTNU

A Joint Declaration of Intent titled “Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation for the Green Shift” was also signed between CSIR, the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

The declaration seeks to expand cooperation in:

• Sustainability research;

• Circular economy systems;

• Ocean science and technology;

• Healthcare innovation, and

• Civil and infrastructure engineering technologies.

The initiative will support:

• Student and faculty exchange programmes;

• Joint academic and research activities;

• Collaborative seminars and conferences, and

• Shared academic programmes between Indian and Norwegian institutions.

Officials said the agreement would help strengthen long-term academic and scientific collaboration while promoting innovation and knowledge exchange.

Geoscience Partnership for Infrastructure Projects

In another important agreement, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Norwegian company Emerald Geomodelling.

The partnership focuses on developing geoscience-based solutions for major infrastructure projects in India.

Areas of collaboration include:

• Joint geophysical research projects;

• Survey planning and geological mapping;

• Data analysis and modelling;

• Technical advisory services, and

• Scientific training and capacity-building programmes.

The agreement is expected to support safer, more efficient, and scientifically informed infrastructure development across India.

Strengthening India–Norway Relations Through Innovation

Officials from both countries described the agreements as a major milestone in India–Norway relations and an important step toward expanding long-term cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

The collaborations are expected to strengthen institutional partnerships, accelerate sustainable technological development, and promote research-driven economic growth.

The agreements also reinforce India’s growing global engagement in renewable energy, climate technologies, advanced research, and green industrial development while positioning Norway as a key strategic partner in innovation and sustainability.