New Delhi: India and Iran on November 9 signed a joint statement expressing commitment to promote and expand scientific and technological co-operation between the two sides.

The statement was signed by Science and Technology Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Iranian Minister for Science, Research and Technology Dr Mostafa Moeen in Tehran.

Information and Communication Technology, energy, industrial technology, food technology and environment have been identified as the priority areas for co- operation in the statement which is likely to give new thrust to the bilateral science co-operation, tardy over the past few years.

The two sides agreed to promote exchange of scientific information and documentation including patents, licenses and know-how between them, according to an official release.

There should be direct contacts between the scientific and technological research institutions of the two countries, the two sides said.

The two countries agreed to convene the next meeting of the joint working group (JWG) at the earliest to discuss and finalise a new programme of co-operation, spelling out the specific areas of bilateral interest, mechanism, modalities, financial commitments and implementation schedule.

PTI