Clinton calls for larger collaboration between Indian, U.S entrepreneurs

New Delhi -  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday urged Indian and American innovators and entrepreneurs to work together to improve the lives of farmers and ordinary people  in both countries.

Addressing a seminar on 'US-India partnering for Innovative Solutions' with Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh here, Clinton said: "We want to make it possible for more  Indian and American entrepreneurs to collaborate on new ventures, more scientists and scholars share data and build upon each others research or students to live and learn together at  each of our universities."

"Ultimately we hope to foster generations of innovative thinkers and leaders who will continue to improve the lives of Indian and American people and contribute to improving the lives of  people everywhere," she added.

Clinton said said the Green Revolution in the 1960s which helped India become self sufficient in its food needs from a net importer, was a shining example of the technical collaboration in agriculture between the scientists of two countries to help improve the lives of their people.

"For decades, scientists, engineers and social innovators from India and United States have worked side-by-side, the most famous example perhaps are the agricultural improvements that led to the Green Revolution. Today I met entrepreneurs from an organisation called 'Digital Green', who are carrying on that work. Using technology to share agriculture-based practices with farmers themselves is now possible thanks to communications technology. For farmers to be in their villages looking at videos about agricultural techniques that they then can apply in their own work," Clinton added.

Meanwhile, Deshmukh said that the two countries were working closely together in various fields including health, clean energy as well as food security.

"Now, we have started to address together a grand challenge through the tools of science. We are working in the areas of health, bio-medical science, food security, clean energy, water cycle and climate research. Our cooperation in knowledge based industry sector has assured in full spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among our entities," he added.