PM Modi: We invite France and the world to be co-travellers in India’s next space frontier

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the International Space Summit in Paris, extending his country's welcoming philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" to the realm of space exploration. He invited France and the global community to collaborate as co-travelers in India's upcoming space frontier. Modi acknowledged France's long-standing trust as a partner since the inception of India's space program in the 1960s.

The Prime Minister highlighted India's international footprint in launch services, noting that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has placed 430 payloads into orbit for 34 countries. ISRO has gained global admiration for its excellence and cost-effective missions. Modi outlined ambitious future targets for ISRO, including establishing an indigenous space station by 2035 and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040, all with the guiding principle that the benefits must reach all of humanity.

In the context of crowded orbits, powerful technologies, and a burgeoning number of actors, Modi emphasized the need for global partnerships that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains. He stressed the importance of transparent research and ethical information sharing, stating that scientific data should serve the common good with openness and integrity.

Modi invoked the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the guiding philosophy for space activities, and affirmed that ISRO operates under the same principles. The two-day summit, organized by France to initiate regular international talks on the future of space exploration and the evolving space economy, has seen participation from over 120 countries.