NASI is the oldest Science Academy of India. It was established in 1930 by a group of world-leading Indian scientists. Based in Prayagraj in the state of Uttar Pradesh, its membership includes scientists, engineers and health professionals. The Academy promotes science and technology in India.

Every year, the Academy elects up to ten Foreign Fellows, five in Physical and five in Biological Sciences. Apart from being a distinguished scientist, a nominee must be associated with the development of science in India and associated with Indian scientists through collaboration, training of Indian scientists, participation in Indian scientific programmes, etc.

Eric Laenen has close ties with the particle physics community in India, in particular at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, the University of Mumbai, and the Indian Institute of Technology in Hyderabad.