US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti made a significant trip to Bengaluru, where he engaged with key stakeholders in the Indian space sector, including business leaders and entrepreneurs. Garcetti, accompanied by US Consul General Chris Hodges, held an important meeting with the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), S Somanath, to discuss further space collaboration initiatives, notably the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission, commonly referred to as NISAR.
The visit underscored the mutual commitment of both nations to push the frontiers of space exploration. The discussions centered on advancing existing projects and exploring new ventures, aiming to enhance the strategic security and technological cooperation between the United States and India. According to a press release from the US Embassy and Consulates in India, this visit highlighted the robust economic and commercial relations between the two countries, envisioning transformative impacts “from the seabed to the stars.”
During his stay in Bengaluru, Ambassador Garcetti also addressed the US-India Commercial Space Cooperation Conference: Unlocking Opportunities for US Industry and Indian Space Startups. This event served as a platform for both nations to deliberate on collaborative efforts in space exploration, satellite launches, and astronaut training. Garcetti expressed his enthusiasm: “I am delighted to be here today in Bengaluru to participate in the U.S.-India Commercial Space Cooperation Conference. It is an honor to share the stage with ISRO Chairman Dr. Somnath as we unlock commercial opportunities to propel our partnership to the stars and beyond. Today’s program is just one of the many ways the United States and India are moving forward to expand space cooperation into the stratosphere.”
In addition to his engagement with the space sector, Garcetti visited the Science Gallery Bengaluru, India’s first independent, not-for-profit public institution dedicated to research-based engagement. He explored the “Carbon” exhibition, which was another highlight of his trip, demonstrating an interest in India’s strides in public education and research.
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Garcetti’s visit also included interactions with industry leaders and members of the American Chamber of Commerce India. These discussions revolved around the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), emphasizing it as a crucial mechanism for expanding strategic security and technology cooperation.
On May 25, Garcetti met with the former world champion blind cricket team, gaining insights from the diverse team and witnessing their skills firsthand. In a supportive gesture, he wished them well for their upcoming tour to the US to promote blind cricket ahead of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. This visit, his first to Bengaluru, symbolized the shared commitment of the US and India to leverage technology and innovation for societal progress, thereby laying steadfast foundations for future collaboration and strategic partnerships in commercial space exploration.
Moreover, on May 22, Garcetti announced at an event in Mumbai that the United States International Development Finance Corporation is investing a substantial USD 3.8 billion to help India achieve its renewable energy and infrastructure targets. While addressing the ‘Indo-US Space Co-operation’ event, he stressed that along with renewable energy and infrastructure goals, the US is also supporting advancements in agriculture, healthcare, and financial services.
Garcetti further highlighted the growth of the US-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment. “I am delighted to share tonight that the United States-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, which is a public-private partnership between our two great nations to advance women’s economic security in India, is growing with new partners,” he remarked during the event.
He reinforced the idea that the two countries are not just advancing development but are also making significant strides in technological innovation. “You know, technology will define our lives,” stated Garcetti. “Reaching our full economic potential means harnessing the very best in our own nations and connecting this alliance together of the US and India to see what we can do for the world,” he added.
Garcetti’s visit to India marked a pivotal moment for US-India relations, emphasizing a dual focus on collaborative space exploration and broader technological and economic cooperation. This enduring partnership looks set to drive forward both nations’ ambitions, leveraging the best of technology and innovation for mutual and global advancement.
