New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the International Space Summit held in Paris, France, via video conference.
The Prime Minister thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for taking a timely initiative and extending a gracious invitation, and expressed his delight at participating in the landmark gathering.
“I am happy to be a part of the first International Space Summit,” remarked PM Modi.
Reflecting on humanity’s enduring fascination with the cosmos, Prime Minister Modi observed that space has inspired human imagination for centuries.
He highlighted that space now shapes everyday life on Earth, influencing areas ranging from climate and crops to oceans and communities.
“The promise of space is infinite, and our responsibility is collective,” noted PM Modi.
International Space Summit: PM Modi Calls for Cooperation and Sustainability in Space
Addressing the growing complexity of the cosmic environment at the International Space Summit, the Prime Minister emphasized that orbits are becoming more crowded, technologies are becoming more powerful, and the number of actors in the space domain is increasing.
He stressed that global partnerships must prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains.
“Our choices must be clear: cooperation over confrontation, sustainability over short-term gain, and inclusion over exclusion,” asserted PM Modi.
Connecting India’s philosophical worldview to outer space, the Prime Minister pointed out that the country’s approach is firmly rooted in the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning One Earth, One Family, One Future.
He advocated for this unifying spirit to extend beyond the planet to ensure a secure space domain.
“We support a safe, secure, peaceful and sustainable space domain, anchored in international law, dialogue and multilateral cooperation,” affirmed PM Modi.
PM Modi Highlights Scientific Data and Global Welfare
Highlighting the importance of transparent research, Prime Minister Modi stressed that India’s cosmic journey reflects the philosophy of universal welfare.
He noted that the ethical sharing of information is paramount for global progress.
“Scientific data must serve the common good, with openness and integrity,” observed PM Modi.
At the International Space Summit, the Prime Minister also highlighted the practical benefits of satellite technology in areas such as weather forecasting, disaster management and navigation.
He noted that these advanced capabilities directly serve grassroots communities, including farmers and fishermen.
“ISRO, which stands at the heart of this journey, has earned global admiration for its excellence and cost-effective missions,” remarked PM Modi.
ISRO’s Global Launch Partnerships
Tracing India’s international footprint in launch services, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the successful deployment of more than 430 payloads from 34 countries aboard domestic rockets. He emphasized the broad global utility of these cooperative scientific endeavors.
“ISRO’s technologies and partnerships serve not only India, but the wider world,” noted PM Modi.
Ascribing this institutional success to India’s human capital, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the dedication and hard work of generations of Indian scientists, engineers and technicians. He commended their efforts in securing India’s place among spacefaring nations.
“Working day and night, they have built ISRO’s global reputation mission by mission, success by success,” affirmed PM Modi.
Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 Highlight India’s Space Journey
Recalling major milestones in planetary science, Prime Minister Modi noted that Aditya-L1 is currently unlocking the secrets of the Sun, while an Indian astronaut visited the International Space Station last year.
He also recalled India’s historic lunar landing through Chandrayaan-3.
“Chandrayaan-3 made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole,” noted Shri Modi.
The achievements were highlighted by the Prime Minister during his address to the International Space Summit as part of India’s broader space exploration journey.
India Plans Space Station by 2035 and Moon Mission by 2040
Outlining ambitious future targets for India’s space roadmap, Prime Minister Modi announced plans to establish an indigenous space station by 2035 and send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
He maintained that these long-term efforts are guided by a broader objective of ensuring that the benefits of India’s space programme reach people across the world.
“In all these efforts, our guiding principle has been clear: their benefits must reach all humanity,” asserted PM Modi.
India’s Private Space Sector Gains Momentum
Describing the rapid evolution of India’s commercial space ecosystem, Prime Minister Modi observed that the country’s private space sector is surging alongside institutional agencies.
He acknowledged the growing synergy between emerging startups and established organizations.
“The energy of enterprise is joining the excellence of ISRO,” remarked PM Modi.
The Prime Minister’s comments at the International Space Summit highlighted the role of both India’s established space institutions and its emerging private space ecosystem in the country’s future space ambitions.
India-France Space Cooperation
Valuing long-standing bilateral relations, Prime Minister Modi recalled that France has been a trusted partner since the inception of India’s space programme at Thumba in the 1960s.
He emphasized that current joint initiatives combine high-level research with tangible societal benefits.
“Today, our cooperation spans Earth observation and advanced technologies, uniting scientific excellence with human purpose,” affirmed PM Modi.
At the International Space Summit, the Prime Minister also extended an invitation to international stakeholders to participate in India’s upcoming exploratory missions.
“We invite France and the world to be co-travellers in India’s next space frontier,” remarked PM Modi.
International Space Summit: PM Modi Calls for Collective Action to Protect Space
Concluding his video address, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his best wishes to the distinguished participants of the summit.
He urged the international community to safeguard the space environment through collaborative exploration and innovation.
“Let the International 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,” asserted PM Modi.
