On 5 February 2020, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of India in Russia Dr Shishir Shrotriya accompanied by a staff member of the Political Division of the Embassy Vivek Singh visited the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.

The visit of the Indian delegation started with an introductory presentation about the Laboratories and the University Centre of the Institute. The acquaintance with the JINR scientific infrastructure started in the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions where the guests visited the Superheavy Element Factory and the Nanocentre. In the Laboratory of Neutron Physics, the guests saw the IBR-2 research reactor, in particular, the REGATA facility, as well as the IREN resonance neutron source.

In the way of the conclusion of the visit, a working meeting of the delegation with JINR representatives headed by Vice-Director R. Lednicky was held. The JINR party was represented by Head of the International Cooperation Department D. V. Kamanin, UC Director S. Z. Pakuliak, Advisor to the JINR Director M. Yu. Tumanova, and Head of the BLTP Sector S. N. Nedelko. The meeting was held with the participation of Indian employees of the Institute. At the meeting, the parties noted a high level of the existing cooperation between India and JINR. Dr Sh. Shrotriya highlighted that India is not only interested in the cooperation development with the Joint institute but also considers opportunities to formalize its participation at JINR. On behalf of the Joint Institute, Vice-Director R. Lednicky expressed the preparedness to promote the development of scientific contacts and to broaden the participation of India in the Institute’s projects. The parties discussed possible ways to enhance cooperation in the scientific and educational fields, and they also noted an opportunity to improve the spreading of information about the present state of the Institute and opportunities for cooperation with JINR among the scientific community and officials of India. The guests were interested in the offer to use the JEMS training programme for decision-makers in science as an effective platform to learn about the Institute’s opportunities in detail. As a result of the meeting, it was decided to agree the working plan on the development of the cooperation.

Concluding the visit, Dr Shishir Shrotriya shared his impressions in the interview to the Institute’s mass media. In particular, he noted: “The main purpose of the visit was to get acquainted with the Institute. We also wanted to learn about research of Indian scientists working here to understand how to expand the collaboration in the future. We visited some laboratories of the Institute, saw the advanced equipment and good work conducted here in various fields. The laboratories are available for researchers across the world, and we wanted to see it. Many projects of JINR should be promoted at a larger scale so that much more researchers will have an opportunity to come and take advantage of them. Moreover, it was proposed that a JINR team should come to India and promote information about the Institute’s opportunities. I should also note that the Ambassador of India in Russia has already expressed his inclination and desire to visit JINR in the shortest possible time.”

Photos by Igor Lapenko