Modi Urges Global Cooperation and Sustainable Practices at Paris Space Summit

On September 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the International Space Summit in Paris via video-conference from New Delhi. He called for “co-travellers” in India’s next space frontier and emphasized that the growing crowding of Earth’s orbits demands cooperation over confrontation, sustainability over short-term gain, and inclusion over exclusion.

New Indian Express

The summit convened space-faring nations as the number of actors and the power of orbital technologies increase. ), linking it to contemporary international law and multilateral dialogue.

The Hindu

• More than 430 satellites from 34 countries have been launched aboard Indian rockets, a figure cited by Modi as evidence of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s global service role.

The Hindu

• France-based RIDE! signed an agreement to launch two satellites for Indian firm TakeMeToSpace, while Safran Space contracted with Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space for critical technologies worth over €5 million. These components are intended for India’s future SBS-III space-surveillance constellation, projected to deploy 52 satellites between 2027 and 2030.

The Hindu

• Recent ISRO milestones highlighted by Modi include the Chandrayaan-3 lunar-south-pole landing, the Aditya-L1 solar-observing mission, and an Indian astronaut’s visit to the International Space Station in 2025.

The Hindu

The Prime Minister linked these principles to India’s long-term goals: establishing an Indian space station by 2035 and sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. He also highlighted the role of generations of Indian scientists, engineers, and technicians in building ISRO’s reputation for cost-effective missions that aid farmers, fishermen, weather forecasting, disaster management, and navigation.

ThePrint

During the summit, French launch-service company RIDE! agreed to launch two satellites for TakeMeToSpace, an Indian startup developing orbital data centres. Additionally, Safran Space secured contracts with Dhruva Space to supply communication systems, inertial navigation units, optical payloads, and ground-station equipment for the SBS-III constellation, underscoring the growing synergy between India’s public and private space sectors.

The Hindu

• “Let the space summit in Paris send a clear message: we will explore together, innovate together, and protect space together, for all humanity, and for generations to come.” — The Prime Minister

The Hindu

India’s roadmap, as outlined by Modi, includes the construction of a national space station slated for 2035 and a crewed lunar mission targeted for 2040. Ongoing collaborations with French firms and domestic startups are positioned to supply the technology and infrastructure needed to achieve these milestones.

The Hindu