India has agreed to sign the Artemis Accords, which the United States established in 2020 together with seven other founding member nations to establish a common political understanding regarding mutually beneficial practices in the exploration and use of outer space. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have also agreed to send a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024, news agency PTI reported, quoting the White House. 


"On space, we will be able to announce that India is signing the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision for space exploration for the benefit of all humankind," a senior White House administration official was quoted as saying in a PTI report. The official's statement came hours before India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden met in the Oval Office. The official also said that NASA and ISRO are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation this year, and that the two space agencies aim to send a joint mission to the ISS next year. 


The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. The principles of the Artemis Accords include activities conducted in support of NASA's Artemis Program. As many as 25 countries and one territory have signed the Artemis Accords, as of June 5, 2023.


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Developments in semiconductor industry


Companies based in the US are collaborating with India to build a semiconductor ecosystem that promotes supply chain diversification. 


With support from the Indian National Semiconductor Mission, Micron Technology, an Idaho-based computer company, announced an investment of more than $800 million. Together with additional financial support from Indian authorities, the total will amount to a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India. 


Other key developments in the field of semiconductor technology include the announcement of a new semiconductor centre for commercialisation and innovation in India by US Applied Materials. Also, Lamb Research, a semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, will announce a training programme for 60,000 Indian engineers to accelerate India's workforce development goals, the report said.


Discussions on critical minerals and mineral security


Speaking about critical minerals and mineral security, the official said that the US will announce its support for India becoming a member of the Mineral Security Partnership, which is led by the US State Department, and strengthens critical minerals supply chain and ensures that the respective markets are well-supplied with essential critical minerals that are needed for climate, economic and strategic technology goals. 


Developments in technology


Referring to advanced computing, artificial intelligence and quantum information science, the official said India and the US have first established a joint Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism that will facilitate more collaboration between the countries' industries, academia and government. 


India and the US have also signed a new implementation arrangement on artificial intelligence, advanced wireless and quantum technologies, and the US is welcoming Indian Quantum universities and entities into its membership.


PM Modi’s visit to the NSF


Modi, who visited the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday (US local time) with US First Lady Jill Biden, interacted with Indian and American students, and gave insights into India’s contributions to technology, and how the country can work together with the US to find solutions to current problems, and obtain ideas for the future. Modi said that the India-US partnership will prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth. He also said India is working on multiple projects with the NSF, and that the country’s goal is to make this decade a “techade”.


Modi said that India and the US need a pipeline of talent to maintain growth momentum. He stated that on the one hand, the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies, and on the other hand, India has the world’s biggest youth factory.