US may further ease policy on high-tech trade with India

US Counselor for Science Marco Di Capua has admitted to a positive shift in his country's space policy towards India, which has come of age in space programmes and technologies.

Speaking to the media prior to the first Indo-US space summit here, Capua said the US acknowledged the achievements of India, especially of its space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).

"There is a change of attitude in the US administration towards India's achievements in science and technology ever since bilateral ties between the two countries improved during the last couple of years, leading to an agreement for collaboration on high-end technologies," Capua said.

"The US recognises the tremendous progress India made in space science and the maturity it achieved by developing its own satellites and launch vehicles," Capua said, while speaking at a joint press conference held with Isro Chairman G Madhavan Nair.

On the impact of US sanctions on India, which led to the denial of critical components to Isro's space projects in the recent past, Capua said efforts were being made to ensure such "estrangements" would not visit again, as there was a greater understanding and appreciation of India in the US administration.

"The US can no longer ignore the achievements of India in diverse fields, especially in science and technology. The presence of 2 million Indians across the US is a testimony to their contribution in areas of their specialisation," he said.

Welcoming the change in the US policy towards India, Nair said Isro had overcome the difficulties faced due to US sanctions by indigenous efforts and research and development (R&D) capabilities in space science and applications.

"We have taken notice of a sea change in the US policy from the presumption of denial to the presumption of approval. It's heartening to learn that the US has come to recognise the cost-effectiveness of the Indian space industry and its potential to collaborate for mutual benefit," Nair said.

On the competitive advantage of the Indian space industry, Nair said there was scope for generating $50 million of business by exporting space products and services to counterparts in the US.

"We have conducted our space programmes in a very cost-effective manner. We are in a position to market our sub-systems, which can go on the US spacecraft and space missions," he said.