Dr. Amitava Bandopadhyay, Chief Scientist and Head, International Science & Technology Affairs Directorate, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi paid a courtesy call on H. E. Mr. Arjun B. Thapa, Secretary-General of SAARC, at the SAARC Secretariat today.

During the meeting, Dr. Bandopadhyay presented a brief overview to H.E. Secretary-General about the activities undertaken by CSIR through its 37 research laboratories in India.  He also discussed the concept of developing regional SAARC projects by using the expertise available with the CSIR in the areas like (i) Arsenic free drinking water for rural masses (ii) developing marketable products from medicinal and aromatic plants through regional value chains and (iii) development of traditional knowledge digital library for the SAARC Region.  The Secretary-General mentioned that CSIR may develop Concept Notes on projects which are of common concern for the region and beneficial for the upliftment of the masses within the SAARC Region, for taking it to the Member States for their consideration.

Mr. Dhan Bahadur Oli, Director, was present at the meeting.