Media Note: U.S. Export Controls Workshop for India’s Commercial Space Industry Advances U.S.-India Space Collaboration

Media Note

Bengaluru, April 26: Advancing the ever-expanding U.S.-India technology partnership, the U.S. Department of State’s Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) and U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) hosted a U.S.-India Space Technology Industry Workshop on Export Controls from April 24 to 25 in Bengaluru. The workshop, attended by over 50 Indian industry and government officials, provided an overview of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and related compliance requirements specifically geared towards the Indian commercial space industry. By increasing their expertise on navigating U.S. export controls and technology transfer processes, this workshop positioned participants to collaborate more directly with U.S. partners to expand India’s commercial and defense cooperative engagement in the space sector.

The space technology sector is an increasingly important pillar of the U.S.-India partnership and one of the six areas of focus for the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). As many space technologies are considered defense/military relevant and dual use, the U.S. export controls regulate the transfer of such technologies to foreign end users. These controls impose restrictions and licensing requirements to ensure that the export of certain items, software, and data is consistent with national policies and international obligations.

Thea Kendler, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) delivered the keynote address at the workshop. U.S. experts administering the ITAR and EAR reviews conducted sessions on export control implementation and compliance.  

The U.S. Department of State’s Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) Program and U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) jointly organized the two-day workshop, with support from the U.S. Mission to India and the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum.   

FACT SHEET: United States and India Elevate Strategic Partnership with the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)  

Photo Caption: Thea Kendler, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security delivers the keynote address at the U.S.-India Space Technology Industry Workshop on Export Controls held in Bengaluru on Tuesday, April 25