Norway to help set up earthquake studies institute

India and Norway on Friday decided in principle to collaborate in the fields of biotechnology and earthquake precursors.

The decision was taken during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Jens Stoltenberg on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two sides agreed to set up a task force to devise a strategy for pooling their research and development efforts on vaccines and their production, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi.

He said the task force will be set up with a view to enhance complementarities and to contribute to the global fight against infant mortality and infectious diseases.

The task force would be expected to give its proposals before March 31.

During the talks, India conveyed its intention to set up an International Institute of Earthquake Precursors Studies in this country and invited Norwegian partnership.

The Norwegian side expressed interest in joining the project and sought details from the Indian side, Sarna added.