India and the EU collaborate on High-Performance Computing

India has initiated action on the Cooperation on High-Performance Computing pact signed with the EU in 2022, inviting proposals from researchers to utilise HPC for various critical applications. The pact, established during a virtual ceremony in November 2022, emphasised technological collaboration on Quantum and High-Performance Computing between India and the EU, focusing on advancing R&D in HPC technologies. However, progress had stalled until February 2024, when the EU activated its part of the pact, aiming to foster collaboration with India in optimising HPC applications across domains of mutual interest.

Europe’s envisioned outcomes from this collaboration include enhancing HPC applications, fostering information sharing to tackle societal challenges, facilitating researcher exchange between India and the EU, and strengthening international cooperation in HPC development. While the EU’s document lacks specifics on the path forward, India’s recent call for proposals delineates a clear roadmap. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology seeks proposals to analyse climate change, bioinformatics, and natural hazards using HPC, alongside developing integrated early warning systems for multi-hazard scenarios. Proposals are expected to outline specific application optimisation plans, development timelines, and critical performance indicators demonstrating cooperative benefits. Accepted proposals allow access to HPC facilities in India and the EU.

India’s Supercomputing Mission has commissioned 28 supercomputers, while the EU’s High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking operates nine machines with substantial computing power. Despite the progress, India and the EU still need to provide a timeframe for implementing approved proposals.