US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, travelled to Bengaluru for discussions with leaders and entrepreneurs in the space sector. Garcetti, accompanied by US Consul General Chris Hodges, convened a meeting with S Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to explore opportunities for space collaboration, including the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission (NISAR).
During his Bengaluru visit, Garcetti engaged with industry figures and members of the American Chamber of Commerce India. The focus was on enhancing strategic security and technology cooperation between the two nations through the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), as highlighted in a press release from the US Embassy and Consulates in India.
According to the press release, Eric Garcetti visited the Science Gallery Bengaluru, India’s inaugural independent, non-profit public institution for research-based engagement. He explored the “Carbon” exhibition during his visit.
The US Embassy and Consulates in India released a statement affirming Garcetti’s visit to Bengaluru this week. The purpose was to convene with sector business leaders and entrepreneurs, highlighting the robust economic and commercial relations between the United States and India. This collaboration is envisioned to shape the forthcoming century, spanning from the seabed to the cosmos.
At the US-India Commercial Space Cooperation Conference, Garcetti, serving as the US envoy, delivered a keynote address. The conference, dedicated to joint space exploration, satellite launches, and astronaut training, focused on unlocking opportunities for both US industry and Indian space startups, as detailed in the press release.
As per the press release from the US Embassy and Consulates in India, on May 25, Eric Garcetti convened with the former world champion blind cricket team. The purpose was to gain insights from the diverse team and directly observe their skills. Garcetti also conveyed his best wishes to the team for their forthcoming tour to the US, aimed at promoting blind cricket in anticipation of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.
Garcetti’s inaugural visit to Bengaluru highlighted the mutual dedication of the US and India to harness technology and innovation for societal advancement. This sets the stage for bolstered collaboration and strategic partnerships in commercial space exploration.
On May 22, Garcetti announced that the United States International Development Finance Corporation is committing USD 3.8 billion to aid India in achieving its renewable energy and infrastructure objectives. Speaking at the ‘Indo-US Space Co-operation’ event in Mumbai, he emphasized the US’s support for not only renewable energy and infrastructure goals but also agricultural, healthcare, and financial services initiatives.
Garcetti expressed satisfaction in the expanding scope of the US-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, welcoming new partners into the fold. Additionally, he highlighted that the two nations are progressing not only in terms of development but also in the realm of technology.
