ICAR and CGIAR Explore Opportunities to Strengthen Strategic Research Collaboration and Plan CGIAR Science and Partnership Week 2027

30 October 2026, New Delhi

Dr (Mrs) Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR, called on Dr M. L. Jat, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR today at the NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi, to discuss avenues for strengthening research collaboration and strategic partnerships between ICAR, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), and CGIAR in India.

The discussions focused on exploring opportunities to deepen institutional collaboration, strengthen synergies in research and innovation, and align the joint efforts of ICAR and CGIAR towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The meeting also deliberated on the planning and preparations for the proposed CGIAR Science and Partnership Week 2027, to be hosted in India.

Dr Naveen P. Singh, Assistant Director General (International Relations), ICAR, moderated the discussion on the proposed global Science and Partnership Week 2027, highlighting the importance of coordinated planning and enhanced engagement among national and international research partners.

Dr Ismahane Elouafi was accompanied by Ms Shira Tabachnikoff, Practice Lead for Communications, CGIAR. The meeting was attended by CGIAR Country Heads, the Additional Secretary, DARE and Secretary, ICAR; Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser (AS&FA), DARE and ICAR; Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT; Shri Sanjay Agarwal, Assistant Director General, ICRISAT; Deputy Director Generals (DDGs), ICAR; Assistant Director General (International Relations), Project Director, Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA), and other senior officials of ICAR.

The interaction reaffirmed the shared commitment of ICAR and CGIAR towards fostering stronger research partnerships, promoting scientific collaboration and innovation, and leveraging their collective expertise to address emerging challenges in agriculture and food systems while contributing to India's vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

(Source: International Relations Division, ICAR)