TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Academy of Marine Research and India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology recently agreed to conduct marine science research in the Indo-Pacific region.  

An MOU signing ceremony was held in Delhi, India, on Wednesday (Nov. 20). The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in marine science research and marine science-related fields, according to NAMR.

Huang Hsiang-Wen (黃向文), deputy minister of the Ocean Affairs Council, said the agreement is expected to bolster Taiwan’s international cooperation and technical exchanges and foster advancements in marine technology. Huang also hoped to expand cooperative efforts in polar research.

Under the leadership of former NAMR President Chiu Yung-Fang (邱永芳), several online meetings and in-person visits laid the groundwork for this MOU, per NAMR. Subsequent efforts by Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-Ling (管碧玲) and NAMR President Chen Chien-Hung (陳建宏) led to the finalization of the agreement in late 2023.

M. Ravichandran, secretary of India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, hoped Taiwan-India collaboration would further strengthen marine research.