A Joint Declaration was signed between Ministry of Agriculture of India and the United States Department of Agriculture regarding support for India-United States Knowledge Initiative on Agricultural Education, Research, Service and Commercial Linkages at New Delhi on 12.11.2005. It was signed by Dr. Mangala Rai, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research on behalf of Ministry of Agriculture and Dr. J.B. Penn, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, United States Department of Agriculture on behalf of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).