New Delhi, March 20 -- Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh met with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates to discuss collaborations on biotech startups and health innovations in India, Ministry of Science & Technology said on Thursday.

The discussions with Gates, currently on an India visit, covered advancement in gene therapy, vaccine innovation, biotechnology manufacturing, and India's evolving startup ecosystem. "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a surge in biotech innovations, supported by policies like Bio E3-biotechnology for the economy, employment, and environment," said Singh.

He also highlighted the growing role of private players and startup...