India and the United States Collaborate on Geospatial and Space Technologies
The 4th India-USA Space and Geospatial Business Summit, held on December 2nd at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, marked a significant milestone in the growing strategic relationship between the two nations. The summit, organized by the Geospatial World Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Geospatial World, brought together key figures from government, industry, academia, and research to explore the potential of geospatial and space sectors in driving innovation, economic growth, and sustainability.
With bilateral trade in geospatial and space technologies projected to rise from $2.5 billion in 2024 to $10 billion by 2030, the summit emphasized the importance of investments in technology, policy alignment, and manufacturing to spur global progress. Discussions centered on practical strategies to strengthen collaboration, including technology transfer, advanced manufacturing for geospatial equipment, and enhancing India's role as a solution provider.
Rajeev Jyoti, Director (Technical) of IN-SPACe, highlighted the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) Mission as an example of the synergy between India and the US. He also pointed out that India's National Geospatial Policy (2022) and Space Policy (2023) have catalyzed the growth of geospatial and space industries in India.
Sanjay Kumar, CEO of Geospatial World, highlighted India's rapidly growing geospatial sector, valued at $1.92 billion, positioning the country as a global leader in cost-effective geospatial services. He noted the transformative potential of geospatial technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering innovation and collaboration across borders.
Jennifer Larson, US Consulate General in Hyderabad, emphasized the city's position as a leader in geospatial data processing. She highlighted the joint efforts in space exploration and geospatial technologies, addressing critical global challenges like climate change, disaster management, and food security. Larson also highlighted the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with geospatial data, enabling advanced analyses to tackle global issues.
Srikant Sastri, Chairman of the Geospatial Data Promotion & Development Committee (GDPDC), highlighted the transformative impact of the National Geospatial Policy 2022, which empowers private companies to acquire, store, and process spatial data. He emphasized the role of this initiative in strengthening India-US bilateral trade, positioning geospatial technology as a vital component of economic and strategic collaboration.
The summit concluded with calls for enhanced research collaborations, streamlined technology transfer frameworks, and stronger networks connecting businesses, governments, and research institutions. These efforts are crucial to reaching the ambitious target of $10 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.