NEW DELHI, Sep 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited France and other countries to partner with India as the country enters a new phase of space exploration, highlighting the growing strength of its space programme and the rapid expansion of its private space sector.
Addressing the International Space Summit in Paris virtually on Thursday, the Prime Minister said India believes that the future of space exploration should be built through greater international cooperation. He called for partnerships that can promote innovation, peaceful use of space and the wider sharing of benefits from space technology.
India has made significant progress in space exploration in recent years. Missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 have strengthened the country’s capabilities, while Indian rockets have also emerged as a reliable option for launching satellites for international customers.
More than 430 satellites from 34 countries have been launched using Indian rockets, reflecting the growing confidence in India’s space capabilities.
The country is now preparing for more ambitious missions. India aims to establish its own space station by 2035 and send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. These plans are expected to create new opportunities in advanced research, space technology, manufacturing and international collaboration.
The private sector is also becoming an increasingly important part of India’s space growth. Start-ups and private companies are developing new technologies and services, adding momentum to the country’s emerging commercial space ecosystem.
India’s partnership with France in space dates back to the early years of the country’s space programme. The cooperation has expanded over the decades to areas such as Earth observation and advanced space technologies.
With the global space industry entering a new phase of commercial activity and technological innovation, India’s outreach at the Paris summit reflects its ambition to work with international partners and play a larger role in shaping the future of space exploration.
The growing collaboration can also benefit India’s space economy by attracting investment, strengthening domestic manufacturing, creating high-skilled jobs and giving Indian companies greater access to global opportunities.