Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the inaugural International Space Summit in Paris via video conference on 10 September 2026, calling for global cooperation in space exploration and positioning India as a responsible spacefaring nation committed to inclusive development.
What India is proposing
The Prime Minister outlined India’s vision for space as a domain governed by international law, dialogue and multilateral cooperation rather than rivalry. He stressed three core principles: cooperation over confrontation, sustainability over short-term advantage, and inclusion over exclusion. This approach, he said, is rooted in the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—One Earth, One Family, One Future.
India’s space achievements were highlighted as evidence of this commitment:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched more than 430 satellites from 34 countries aboard Indian rockets
- Chandrayaan-3 made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole
- Aditya-L1 is currently studying the Sun’s properties
- An Indian astronaut visited the International Space Station last year
Looking forward, India plans to establish its own space station by 2035 and send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
The Prime Minister also noted that India’s private space sector is growing rapidly, with commercial enterprise now complementing ISRO’s scientific excellence. He highlighted France as a long-standing partner since India’s space programme began at Thumba in the 1960s, and invited both France and other nations to collaborate in India’s future space ventures.
What this means for you
India’s space programme already serves practical needs—weather forecasting, disaster management, navigation and agriculture support for farmers and fishermen. The emphasis on inclusive development suggests future space technologies will continue prioritising civilian and economic benefits for ordinary people rather than military applications alone. As India pursues ambitious goals like a space station and lunar missions, closer international partnerships may create opportunities for Indian scientists and engineers in global research efforts.