India-U.S. Space Trade Mission Strengthens Commercial Partnership in Space Sector

The US-India Space Business Forum in Bengaluru brought together senior officials and industry leaders to progress commercial space cooperation, align policies, and explore joint ventures between US and Indian partners, with participation from 23 executives across 14 companies and over 200 attendees.

The U.S.-India Space Business Forum in Bengaluru on February 10-11 brought together senior officials and industry leaders from both nations to focus on commercial space cooperation. The event was held during the first U.S. Trade Mission to India dedicated to commercial space and included 23 Executives representing 14 major American space companies.

The U.S. Consulate General Chennai hosted the forum with support from the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum, while the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Business Council for International Understanding led the wider trade mission. Across the two days, more than 200 participants from government agencies and private firms joined discussions on deepening space sector ties.

U.S.-India Space Business Forum and commercial space policy focus

The forum’s sessions reflected the priorities of the U.S.-India Commercial Space Sub-Working Group, covering market access, government procurement rules, foreign direct investment reforms, and export controls. These conversations built on earlier cooperation between the two countries and aimed to align policies while increasing direct business-to-business engagement in the growing commercial space field.

Specific mission and participation details from the U.S.-India Space Business Forum are set out below for clarity.

U.S.-India Space Business Forum and commercial space industry players

Leading U.S. firms taking part in the trade mission include Amazon, Axiom Space, Apex, Black Sky, Elve, Kayhan Space, Park Aerospace, Planet Lab, Resecurity, SpaceX, Vast Space, Umbra Space, Viasat, and Vantor. After the Bengaluru programme, the delegation is scheduled to visit New Delhi for meetings with Indian government representatives and industry stakeholders to explore joint ventures, partnerships, and entry strategies for the Indian market.

Highlighting the diplomatic importance of the U.S.-India Space Business Forum, U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor stated, "The Forum reflects the strategic strength of the U.S.-India partnership and our shared commitment to innovation and commercial growth in the space sector. This is yet another area of tremendous potential for even greater prosperity and partnership. American companies boldly lead the world in space technology, and India is a vital partner in expanding these collaborations."

The trade mission is only the second space-focused delegation organised by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the first such effort directed at India. This status underlines U.S. interest in commercial space innovation with Indian partners and reflects rising momentum in the U.S.-India relationship within the global space economy, where both countries seek a stronger role for their private sectors.

Officials and experts from both sides featured across several sessions of the U.S.-India Space Business Forum. The inauguration on February 10, 2026, included Nivedita Mehra, Janice Starzyk, Dr. V. Narayanan, Swarnashree Rao Rajashekar, and Carey Arun on stage. Other discussions focused on “Building the Low Earth Orbital Economy” and the “Axiom-4 Mission to the International Space Station,” with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and moderator Eric Atkins engaging participants, alongside group photos of the full commercial space delegation with key Indian space leaders.