IndUS Tech

We welcome the announcement of the U.S.–India trade deal by President @realDonaldTrump and Prime Minister @narendramodi. While we await the final details, it is encouraging to see the two sides finalize the broad contours of a Phase I agreement.

Today's Strategic Updates 🇮🇳🤝🇺🇸 India-based space-tech startup GalaxyEye @GalaxEye successfully launched its “Mission Drishti” satellite mission from the United States, @SpaceX with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating the team on the milestone achievement in India’s commercial earth-observation and space-tech ecosystem. ISRO @isro highlighted the successful Mission Drishti launch using U.S. launch infrastructure, underscoring growing #India-U.S. 🇮🇳🤝🇺🇸collaboration in private space, satellite imaging, and dual-use technologies. @thesuyashsingh APPOINTMENTS The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet granted a two-year extension to Ashish Vachhani as Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. ACC also approved a one-year extension for Parthiban P as Director in the PMO. SARV SHAKTI, a Marshall Islands-flagged #LPG carrier that recently transited the Persian Gulf, is en route to India with LPG cargo. #IndiaUS #Galaxeye #LPG

US Defense Tech This Week 🇺🇸 • Golden Dome Laser Shield: The U.S. is developing the Joint Laser Weapon System, a 150kW–300kW directed-energy weapon designed to defeat cruise #missile threats. • Marine Sensors Go Overseas: Next-generation Marine ground sensor systems made their overseas debut in Tunisia, boosting expeditionary #ISR capabilities. • Bumblebee V2 Tested: The autonomous counter-drone system was tested at Fort Bragg as the U.S. advances AI-enabled anti-#UAS defenses. • Drone Warfare Shift: The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are pursuing a “hi-lo mix” strategy combining advanced autonomous systems with scalable low-cost #drones for future conflicts.

🇮🇳 India has formally amended its foreign investment rules for investments linked to countries that share a land border with #India. The key change: the government has now clarified how “beneficial ownership” will be determined by linking it to India’s anti-money laundering law (PMLA). This matters because the earlier border-sharing FDI regime used the term but never clearly defined it, creating uncertainty for global funds and layered investment structures. In simple terms, this makes it easier to assess when an indirect investment may trigger government scrutiny. The new rules also create reporting requirements for certain investments involving indirect land-border ownership that may not need prior approval. But there is still a gap: when the #Cabinet approved these reforms in March, it also referred to (1) an automatic-route carveout for non-controlling investments up to 10% and (2) a 60-day approval timeline for some sectors. Those two points do not appear expressly in the final notification. So for now, the ownership test is clearer - but some operational details still depend on further #RBI guidance. Importantly, the amendment keeps #Pakistan under a separate and stricter government-approval route, with continued sectoral restrictions. #FDI #India #Pakistán

Today’s Strategic & Policy Updates - India-U.S. Relations: The Congressional Study Group on India held discussions on strengthening India-U.S. ties with participation from U.S. lawmakers and #strategic affairs experts. - OCI Rules Update: India notified amended citizenship rules introducing a fully digital Overseas Citizen of #India (OCI) registration framework. - U.S. Maritime Bill: According to media reports, U.S. Congresswoman Young Kim introduced the FLEETS Now Act to counter China’s shipbuilding dominance and revive America’s maritime industry. - West Asia Shipping Update: No new ship movement has been reported so far amid the ongoing Strait of #Hormuz disruptions. - Kudankulam Nuclear Project: India’s nuclear energy programme achieved another milestone after the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board cleared major equipment erection works for Kudankulam Units 5 and 6.

India’s Department of Expenditure has 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙟𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 for government contracts impacted by the 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙩, 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙧-𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙧𝙪𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝘿𝙀𝘾𝙊𝘿𝙄𝙉𝙂 👇 Under the latest memorandum: • Contractors, suppliers & consultants engaged in public procurement can seek relief for delays linked to the conflict • Government agencies may grant 2–4 month extensions on a case-by-case basis • No penalties or liquidated damages will be imposed for eligible delays • Relief applies across goods, services and works contracts, including defence and infrastructure sectors This is particularly significant for India’s drone, defense-tech and strategic manufacturing ecosystem, where firms remain exposed to disrupted logistics, component imports, shipping routes and supply chains linked to West Asia. The move effectively protects companies from financial penalties arising from geopolitical instability beyond their control and signals growing recognition by New Delhi that global conflicts are now directly affecting industrial and defence production timelines. Notably, firms already in default before February 27, 2026 are reportedly not eligible for relief. #Westasia #India #War #IranWar

The US🇺🇸 Strategic News & China Watch • House panel probes risks from PRC-developed #AI models. • U.S. Treasury warns firms over #China-linked Iranian oil trade exposure. • China reportedly cleared major rare earth exports for U.S. #aerospace and chip supply chains. • Silverado Policy Accelerator warned of rising U.S. reliance on Chinese-linked battery and tech supply chains. • CISA and the Pentagon issued new zero-trust #cyber guidance for critical infrastructure. cisa.gov/resources-tool…

Today's 🇮🇳 Key Defense News • Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders delivered INS Mahendragiri, the sixth Project 17A stealth frigate, to the Indian Navy. • Vietnamese President To Lam will visit India from May 5–7, with a reported $617 million BrahMos missile deal expected as a key outcome. • Armenia’s Chief of the General Staff met India’s Chief of Army Staff to strengthen defence ties. Appointments • Vishvajit Sahay assumed charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) at the Ministry of Defence. • Ravi K took charge as the 22nd CMD of HAL, succeeding Dr. D K Sunil. • Bharat Forge acquired a 30% stake in Fortuna Engineering Private Limited. #MDL #defence #HAL #Navy

Senior leaders from the 🇺🇸 United States Air Force and United States Space Force testified before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee on April 30 regarding the FY2027 Department of the Air Force budget request. The hearing featured: • Air Force Secretary Troy Meink • Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach • Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman Key focus areas included: • B-21 Raider stealth bomber procurement • Sentinel ICBM modernization • Space-based capabilities and missile warning systems • Readiness and deterrence against China and other strategic threats democrats-appropriations.house.gov/events/hearing…

India & United States - Strategic Policy Updates • 🇺🇸 CISA and the Pentagon released new zero-trust cybersecurity guidance aimed at strengthening the protection of operational technology and critical infrastructure systems. • 🇺🇸 The House Homeland Security Committee launched a joint investigation into the national security and cybersecurity risks associated with China-developed AI models. • 🇮🇳🇺🇸 The #USTR’s 2026 Special 301 Report noted India’s progress in intellectual property reforms, while placing India among six countries on the Priority Watch List over concerns related to enforcement, piracy, and counterfeiting. #IndiaUS #AI #işçibayramı

🇺🇸🇮🇳 strengthen defense ties Gen. Kevin Schneider’s visit to India focused on deepening interoperability and defense cooperation. Our partnership is rooted in shared values and a mutual interest in maintaining a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific. #AlliesAndPartners #StrongerTogether

🇮🇳🤝🇺🇸 India–US Strategic & Defence Updates: • The U.S. 🇺🇸 returned 657 stolen Indian artefacts worth nearly $14 million to India.🇮🇳 • 🇮🇳 BrahMos Aerospace reported revenue of over $553 million for FY2025–26. • 🇮🇳 CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories handed over the first composite center fuselage parts for the LCA AF Mk2 to ADA and HAL. • 🇮🇳 Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited delivered Mahendragiri, the fourth stealth frigate of the P17A class, to the Indian Navy. • 🇺🇸 Anduril Industries partnered with Kraken Technology Group to develop small unmanned surface vessels for the U.S. Navy.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth testified before #Congress in a nearly 6-hour-long hearing following the Iran conflict, outlining America’s evolving defense strategy and military priorities. Key highlights: • Strong emphasis on deterring China and strengthening U.S. power in the #IndoPacific • Focus on expanding #munitions production, autonomous systems, #shipbuilding, missile defense, AI, and next-generation warfare capabilities • Pentagon pushing to rapidly rebuild and modernize the U.S. defense #industrial base • Increased burden-sharing with allies and partners across strategic regions • U.S. military readiness and force posture enhanced across West Asia and the Indo-Pacific • Lawmakers highlighted the importance of maintaining American military dominance amid rising global competition Sec. Pete Hegseth outlined 4 core Department of War priorities: 1. Defend the U.S. Homeland 2. Deter China in the Indo-Pacific Through Strength 3. Increase Burden-Sharing with Allies 4. Supercharge the Defense Industrial Base #Indopacific #US

🇮🇳🤝🇺🇸 India–United States Strategic Industry & Defence Update • 🇺🇸 Google Cloud, with 🇮🇳 AdaniConneX @adaniconnex and Nxtra by Airtel, has broken ground on India’s first gigawatt-scale AI hub in Visakhapatnam. • 🇺🇸🇮🇳 U.S.-based Shield AI @shieldaitech officially opened its New Delhi office, with a Bengaluru expansion planned, strengthening cooperation in autonomy, AI, software integration, and defence engineering. • 🇮🇳🇺🇸 India’s GalaxEye @GalaxEye Space will launch its 190-kg Mission Drishti OptoSAR satellite aboard a🇺🇸 @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on May 3, combining optical, multispectral, radar imaging, and onboard AI for all-weather Earth observation. • 🇮🇳 Indian Army organised an Agentic AI Workshop to explore next-generation AI applications in defence operations. @adgpi • 🇮🇳 @DRDO_India and the Indian Navy successfully conducted the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR), marking a milestone in indigenous naval strike capability development. • 🇺🇸 The Pentagon added Google’s latest AI model to GenAI.mil as adoption of generative AI tools. • 🇺🇸 The U.S. Department of War is reportedly seeking nearly $75 billion in funding for drone and counter-drone capabilities. • 🇮🇳 ISRO is preparing to open the Gaganyaan astronaut programme to civilians, with selection for the second astronaut batch expected to begin soon. • 🇺🇸 The Trump administration nominated retired Col. Erich Hernandez-Baquero, currently a Raytheon executive, for a key U.S. space intelligence role. • 🇺🇸 U.S. Defense War and military officials testified before the Senate Committee on America’s missile capabilities and strategic defence posture. • 🇺🇸 President Donald Trump nominated Richard O’Malley of Wisconsin to serve as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense. • 🇺🇸 The U.S. Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aerial refuelling aircraft successfully completed its first flight. #Google #AI #Defence #IndiaUS

India and United 🇮🇳🇺🇸 States Defense Updates 🇺🇸 United State Rare Earth Security: U.S. strengthens defence supply chain by securing critical minerals via Lynas Rare Earths #RareEarths #SupplyChain Weapons Acceleration: Munitions Acceleration Council prioritizes 14 key weapons systems for rapid deployment by 2027 #Pentagon #DefenseIndustry #Military 🇮🇳 India Bharat Dynamics Limited delivers wire-guided heavyweight torpedo to Naval Science and Technological Laboratory #IndiaDefense #AtmanirbharBharat Hydrogen VTOL Innovation: BluJ Aerospace targets ultra-low-cost offshore logistics with “Reach” platform #Aerospace #CleanTech #Innovation Global Manufacturing Win: Sigma secures ~$404M contract with Rolls-Royce #MakeInIndia #DefenseIndustry #Aerospace

#GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS, during his recently concluded visit to the USA, laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, paying solemn tribute to fallen soldiers and honouring their service, sacrifice and enduring legacy. The #COAS also visited the National Defence University, engaging with senior leadership, faculty, and course members on professional military education, strategic studies and strengthening India-US #DefenceCooperation. @MEAIndia @DefenceMinIndia @IndianEmbassyUS @USARPAC

India Defence & Aerospace Update 🚀 India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to lead India’s delegation at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meet in Bishkek @PixxelSpace partners with @NewSpaceIndia Limited to expand hyperspectral data access @SkyrootA Aerospace sets June target for Vikram-1, India’s first private orbital mission @astrobase_space Technologies unveils India’s first private FFSC engine test facility @AerospaceM21933 Maraal Aerospace completes flight trials of solar-powered UAV “Tejasvaan” INOCX flags off cryogenic LOX module to boost submarine endurance @aero_sys delivers Shaurya drone to IIT Kanpur #IndiaDefence #AatmanirbharBharat #SpaceTech #Aerospace #DefenceIndustry #Innovation #MilitaryTech