On June 30, H.E. Mr. Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, and Dr. Yashawant Dev Panwar, Counsellor (Science & Technology), visited the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK).
India has made significant contributions to international collaborative experiments hosted by KEK, such as the Belle II experiment, particularly in the development of the silicon vertex detector and data analysis of the central drift chamber. In addition, at the KEK’s Photon Factory, the Indian Beamline has been established under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Government of India, enabling Indian researchers and general users to conduct experimental research.
H. E. Mr. Sibi George Ambassador of India to Japan (Second from the left),
Dr. Shoji Asai, Director General, KEK(Second from the right)
KEK Director General Shoji Asai welcomed the ambassador, expressed his hope of further development of cooperation with India, and noted that Indian graduate students currently studying at KEK were also present at the meeting. The ambassador expressed his pleasure at visiting KEK during the 40th anniversary year of the Japan-India Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. He emphasized that India is actively promoting science and technology and highlighted the importance of further strengthening collaboration between Japan and India in these fields.
Dr. Asai gave an overview of KEK’s research activities, including the Belle II experiment, the Photon Factory, and various areas of collaboration and contributions with India, as well as student exchange activities. Dr. Noriyuki Igarashi, Head of Photon Factory, Institute of Materials Structure Science, presented the current status of the Photon Factory and the Indian beam line, and R&D beamline construction. Dr. Subhadip Chowdhury from the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, who conducts research on the Indian Beamline, provided an overview of the beamline’s development and research outcomes.
The ambassador inquired about the potential for future collaboration not only in materials science but also in broader scientific fields. This was followed by an active discussion with Dr. Naohito Saito, Director of the Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies, along with Indian graduate students on possible collaboration in particle and nuclear physics.
Following the discussions, Ambassador George visited the Photon Factory experimental hall to observe the Indian Beamline and the R&D beam line, and the Tsukuba Experimental Hall, where the Belle II detector is located. He engaged in lively exchanges with Indian researchers and students.
The cooperation with India is expected to deepen further toward promoting research in the fields of materials science and particle physics.
