India-US Space Partnership has moved from Cooperation to ‘Co-Creation’: US Envoy Sergio Gor
By R Anil Kumar
Bengaluru. US Ambassador Sergio Gor on September 7, hailed the evolution of the India-US space partnership from cooperation to ‘co-creation,’ with the two countries co-designing instruments, co-funding startups, and co-authoring the future of human discovery.
Speaking at the Bengaluru Space Expo 2026, Gor said, “A few weeks ago, at the 9th U.S.-India Civil Space Joint Working Group, right here in Bengaluru, we saw profound transformation taking place. Those discussions affirmed that our partnership is no longer just about cooperation; it is about co-creation. We are no longer just sharing data; we are co-designing instruments, co-funding startups, and co-authoring the future of human discovery.”
He said space had emerged as an engine of the global economy.
“Space is no longer a luxury for national pride; today it is the engine of the 21st-century global economy. It powers our navigation, it secures our communications, it trains our artificial intelligence, and it accelerates advanced manufacturing,” the US envoy said.
India-US Space Partnership Combines Complementary Strengths
Highlighting the strengths of both countries, Gor said, “In this modern-day space race, the United States brings world-class private capital and mature commercial ecosystems. India brings world-class engineering, extraordinary scientific talent, and a fearless startup sector.”
“The resulting partnership creates a new dream team that can and will do wonders,” he added.
Space at the Centre of US-India TRUST Initiative
Gor also said space was at the centre of the TRUST initiative established by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“President Trump and Prime Minister Modi recognised this synergy when they established the TRUST initiative — Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology. And space sits directly at the centre of TRUST,” he said.
He further said the US had launched the TRUST Fellowship and was expanding the US Commercial Service in Bengaluru to strengthen commercial ties between American companies and Indian innovators.
India-US Ties Expanding Across Trade, Pharma, Technology and Defence
Gor said the broader India-US relationship was advancing across multiple sectors, including trade, pharma, technology and military cooperation.
“Pick any sector, and the United States and India are working on it, and working at levels that were previously unthinkable. Whether that’s our bilateral trade, which today exceeds $240 billion, whether that’s pharma, technology, military cooperation, or anything else, we are working hand in hand,” added Gor.
Bengaluru is hosting the three-day Space Expo, which features an International Conference and Exhibition themed “Harnessing Space for Global Progress: Innovation, Policy, and Growth.”
The exhibition provides an opportunity for Indian and international space agencies to showcase their capabilities, while the conference highlights key initiatives by the Government of India, ISRO, IN-SPACe and NSIL to empower start-ups, academia and industry in advancing the space sector.
US Wants India ‘By Our Side’ as It Returns to Moon: Sergio Gor
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the United States wants India “by our side” on the lunar surface as it returns to the Moon, citing NASA’s invitation to ISRO to join its Moon base programme.
“India is a proud signatory of the Artemis Accords, and NASA has officially invited ISRO to join us in the Moon base programme. Make no mistake: we’re going back to the Moon, and we want India by our side on the lunar surface,” Gor said while speaking at the Bengaluru Space Expo 2026.
His remarks come as NASA, under its Artemis missions, prepares to send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery and economic benefits, while building on the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.
NISAR Highlights How Joint Space Technology Can Aid Disaster Response
Highlighting the India-US collaboration in space, Gor said the NISAR mission demonstrated how joint technology could directly contribute to saving lives.
NISAR is a groundbreaking Earth observation satellite mission developed jointly by NASA and ISRO. This mission aims to provide precise measurements of Earth’s surface to study natural processes and environmental changes.
“And when we look at NISAR, we see that NASA and ISRO didn’t build a monument to scientific theory; they built a lifesaver. Literally,” he said.
“When a devastating earthquake struck Venezuela just two months ago, NISAR’s radar data penetrated dense cloud cover and dust to guide emergency responders directly to ground zero. That is an example of what great things can happen when we work together. That is joint technology saving human lives in real time,” he added.
Shukla’s ISS Mission Paved Way for Deeper India-US Human Spaceflight Cooperation
Gor also highlighted India’s growing role in human spaceflight, citing Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station and the subsequent cooperation between the two countries.
“Last year, Group Captain Shukla flew to the International Space Station, a landmark moment for India, made possible through American partnership,” Gor said.
“Following the Axiom-4 mission and five joint science investigations, we are now looking at docking standards, interoperability, and astronaut training. TRUST creates capability. Capability creates ambition. And ambition takes us beyond the stratosphere,” he added.
US Market Open to Indian Space Startups
The US envoy also pitched greater opportunities for Indian space startups in the American market, highlighting companies including Pixxel, GalaxEye, Digantara, Bellatrix, Skyroot and Agnikul.
“To every Indian space entrepreneur in this room: the American market is open to you. Our investors are watching you. Our ecosystems welcome you. We are here to help you make that leap,” Gor said.
On broader cooperation in space governance, Gor said Washington and New Delhi were working together to establish global norms.
“Together, we are setting global norms: from space traffic coordination to the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference in Shanghai. Washington and Delhi are standing shoulder to shoulder to protect open, rules-based space governance against authoritarian dominance,” he said.
India-US Space Partnership Can Multiply Opportunities
Gor said the India-US partnership could have a multiplying effect in the space sector.
“When the United States and India work together, we do not just practice addition; we practice multiplication. Not even the sky is the limit,” he said.
“So from Bengaluru, let us look upwards. Let us work together to build a global space economy. Let us return to the Moon together,” the US Ambassador said.
