New Delhi, May 8 (IANS): Stating that bio-technology will play a crucial role in the development of the country, a parliamentary standing committee has expressed concern over India lagging behind China in global rankings.

The Rajya Sabha's parliamentary committee on science and technology ministry in a report tabled in parliament said: "Committee is of the considered view that the biotechnology will play a very important role in the development of the nation in the years to come."

"The committee notes the improvement in the global ranking of the country in various fields of biotechnology but expresses its concern over India lagging behind China in the field of foundational sciences," the committee said.

It asked the department of bio-technology of the science and technology ministry to "attain excellence and improve India's global ranking in biotechnology" and "endeavour to be amongst the first five countries as per established parameters".

In 2013, India ranked 7th globally in biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, after the US, China, Germany, Britain, Japan and France.

The ranking has been furnished by the science and technology ministry based on a comparative analysis of several agencies, including SCImago Journal & Country Rank portal, which analyses information of a large database of publications namely 'Scopus' is one of the most referred sources.

India has climbed up to the 7th rank from 14th in 1996.

In overall sciences, according to information from the science and technology ministry, India ranks 7th after the US, China, Britain, Germany, Japan and France.