NEW DELHI: India and the UK on Wednesday announced setting up of a 50 million pound Newton-Bhabha Fund which will be used for multi-disciplinary cooperation in the fields of science, research and innovation between the two countries.Minister for science and technology Harsh Vardhan said the programme was aimed at providing financial assistance to the best minds from both countries in carrying out scientific research and innovation."Scientists, academicians, research scholars and administrators from both countries have come forward to undertake joint-research activities for developing a scientific temperamong the people. Newton-Bhabha Fund is a tribute to the famous icons Homi J Bhabha and Sir Issac Newton from both the lands. The programme aims to provide 50 million pounds to the best minds of both countries in addressing the global challenges through the application of science and technology," Vardhan said.Delegates from both the countries deliberated on various issues at a meeting of the 4th UK-India Science and Innovation Council and decided to go for joint new research projects in mental health and substance abuseamong others."I hope this exciting new programme will deliver as much to global science as Newton and Bhabha. By working together to address big societal challenges, like sustainable cities, health, food, energy and water, the UK and India can deliver tangible benefits for our countries and the world," said Greg Clark, British minister for Universities, Science and Cities.