India-US Space Partnership: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has described the growing India-US space partnership as a shift from traditional cooperation to “co-creation”, with the two countries increasingly working together on technologies, startups and future space missions.
Speaking at the Bengaluru Space Expo 2026 on Monday, Gor said the partnership had entered a new phase in which India and the US were not merely sharing data but were increasingly co-designing instruments, co-funding startups and jointly shaping the future of space exploration.
India-US Space Ties Enter New Phase
Gor pointed to the 9th India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group, held in Bengaluru on August 5–6, as evidence of the transformation in bilateral space cooperation. The meeting focused on advancing civil and commercial space cooperation, space technology and future science and human spaceflight partnerships.
The US envoy said space had moved far beyond being a symbol of national prestige and had become an important driver of the global economy.
According to Gor, space technology now supports navigation and communications while also contributing to artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and other strategic sectors.
India and US Bring Complementary Strengths
Gor highlighted the different strengths that India and the United States bring to the space sector.
The US, he said, offers deep private capital and mature commercial ecosystems, while India contributes advanced engineering capabilities, scientific talent and a rapidly expanding startup sector.
He described the combination as a potential “dream team” capable of creating new opportunities in space exploration and commercial space technology.
The partnership is also becoming increasingly focused on private-sector participation, with the US seeking to connect American investors and companies with India’s growing space startup ecosystem.
Space at the Centre of US-India TRUST Initiative
Gor also highlighted the role of space in the US-India TRUST initiative, which stands for Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology.
The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in February 2025. It covers cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductors, biotechnology, energy and space.
Gor said the US was also expanding its US Commercial Service presence in Bengaluru to strengthen commercial links between American companies and Indian innovators.
The US-India TRUST Fellowship is another effort aimed at building stronger links between researchers and institutions in the two countries.
NASA Invites ISRO to Moon Base Programme
The expanding partnership also has a major human-spaceflight dimension.
At the Bengaluru Space Expo, Gor said NASA has officially invited ISRO to join its Moon Base programme, signalling a potentially significant new phase in US-India cooperation in lunar exploration.
The invitation builds on cooperation under the Artemis Accords and the broader India-US civil space partnership.
Recent cooperation has also included major initiatives such as the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission and human spaceflight collaboration.
India-US Ties Expand Beyond Space
Gor said the broader India-US relationship was expanding across several sectors, including trade, pharmaceuticals, technology and defence.
He said bilateral trade had crossed $240 billion, reflecting the significant expansion of economic ties between the two countries.
The envoy said the two countries were increasingly working together across multiple sectors at levels that would have been difficult to imagine previously.
Bengaluru Space Expo 2026
Bengaluru is hosting the three-day Bengaluru Space Expo 2026, which includes an international conference and exhibition focused on the theme:
“Harnessing Space for Global Progress: Innovation, Policy, and Growth.”
The ninth edition of the expo is being held from September 7 to September 9 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. It brings together space agencies, industry, startups and other stakeholders to discuss innovation, policy and commercial opportunities in the space sector.
The event provides a platform for Indian and international space organisations to showcase their capabilities, while discussions focus on the role of government agencies, ISRO, IN-SPACe and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) in supporting startups, academia and industry.
The growing India-US partnership is expected to remain a major focus as both countries explore opportunities in commercial space, scientific research, human spaceflight and future lunar missions.
