US to update MTCR export control policies for India

In a move that could significantly enhance US-India cooperation in the space sector, the outgoing Biden administration is finalizing a national security memorandum to update America’s export control policies under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The reform is aimed at advancing commercial space collaboration between the two nations, the White House announced on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters during a conference call, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said, “We are continuing to take steps to further knock down barriers to private sector cooperation. Importantly, we are in the process of finalizing a national security memorandum that will update our own export control policies under the MTCR.”

The MTCR, established in 1987 by the G-7 nations, is a multilateral agreement aimed at curbing the proliferation of missiles and missile technology. India, a member since 2016, stands to benefit from the updated policies as US-based companies will face fewer barriers in collaborating with Indian firms.

Finer, along with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra, visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Tuesday. There, they met Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) astronauts who are training for a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2025.

Highlighting the importance of bilateral cooperation in the space sector, Finer stated, “India and the US are not only making significant advancements in their national space programs but are also increasingly working together to build a cooperative partnership in space.” He emphasized that the role of governments is to create platforms for industries to innovate faster and on a larger scale.

This vision aligns with the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET), launched by the Biden administration in January 2023. The ICET initiative prioritizes expanding commercial space collaboration, among other technological advancements.

Chirag Parikh, Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, underscored the longstanding history of US-India space cooperation. “Our collaboration is deeply rooted in civil space initiatives, particularly in earth and space sciences, as well as exploration,” Parikh noted.

The updated export control policies under the MTCR are expected to accelerate partnerships between private companies in the US and India, paving the way for innovation and growth in the global space economy. With both nations prioritizing technological and scientific progress, this policy shift could mark a new chapter in their space alliance.