The second joint symposium between the RSC and the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) took place on 31 January in the Tata Auditorium, India Institute of Science in Bangalore.

The symposium was very successful with five distinguished speakers from each country and over 650 participants. It was followed by a reception and dinner for 150 participants, hosted by the British Trade Office at the prestigious Bangalore Club.

After the symposium, the UK delegation attended the CRSI national meeting, with a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the society.

Alejandra Palermo, RSC Special Projects Manager, expressed the success of the meeting in her closing remarks to the delegates: "We've heard great science covering a wide range of chemistry from excellent speakers and with a responsive and engaged audience, which makes the event a real winner." 

The RSC and the CRSI have a number of activities planned for the near future and will continue to explore new avenues by which the two national societies can foster stronger scientific links between the two countries. The third joint symposium will take place at the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune as a satellite meeting to the 11th CRSI National Meeting in February 2009.

Other important joint events include the CRSI partaking in the biofuels session with the Brazilian Chemical Society at the IUPAC 2009 meeting, which will be hosted by the RSC in Glasgow.