Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight Cooperation

On June 17th, 2024, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan meet in New Delhi for the second meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET).

During the meet both the countries concluded the Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight Cooperation to deepen interoperability in space and are working toward commencing advanced training for ISRO astronauts at the NASA Johnson Space Center.

Key Points

This is first-ever joint effort between NASA and ISRO astronauts at the International Space Station.
Both India and the US are also exploring opportunities to participate in the Lunar Gateway Programme, which aims to build a space station around the moon as part of the collaborative Artemis programme spearheaded by the US.
The space agencies of the two nations are gearing up for the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar. This satellite, developed collaboratively, will map the entire Earth's surface twice every 12 days. The mission aims to address climate change and other global challenges through joint efforts.
They highlighted the strengthening of defense space cooperation through the second Advanced Domains Defense Dialogue held at the Pentagon in May 2024.
The iCET talks also marked the launch of a new partnership between the US Space Force and the Indian startups 114ai and 3rdiTech.
Both sides welcomed India's observation of the US Space Command's Global Sentinel Exercise at Vandenberg Space Force Base in February 2024 and its return as a participant in the exercise in 2025.