Tech ties take wings

India and the United States have decided to establish a bi-national science and technology commission to promote industrial research and development. To be co-funded, the body aims at partnerships in science and technology.

Under the new deal, the two nations will work together to ensure a robust intellectual property rights regime and promote innovation, creativity and technological advancement.

Both countries will also work towards capacity building activities, human resource development and public awareness programmes in the area of IPRs.

The two countries have also agreed to enhance cooperation in civil space, including space exploration, satellite navigation, and earth science.

"The United States and India committed to move forward with agreements that will permit the launch of US satellites and satellites containing US components by Indian space launch vehicles, opening up new opportunities for commercial space cooperation between the two countries," the joint statement said.

The agreement also includes signing of a memorandum of understanding between ISRO and NASA where two US instruments will be included in the Indian lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1.

Under the agreement, the US Department of Commerce would make an exception for items that would otherwise require an export licence to end-users in India engaged solely in civilian activities.