PM Modi meets 20 space start-up CEOs, pitches India as global space hub

As India seeks to strengthen its private space industry and expand its presence in the global space sector, NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with the CEOs and founders of 20 space start-ups at Seva Teerth.

Key points

• The Prime Minister pressed businesses to explore new applications of space technologies that could improve people's lives.
• He additionally called on closer collaboration with Atal Tinkering Labs to encourage interest in space among children from an early age.
• The CEOs highlighted the rapid expansion of India's private space industry and shared their vision for the sector.
• Congratulating the entrepreneurs, Modi remarked their confidence had strengthened the vision behind opening the space sector to private players.
• The founders additionally highlighted growing collaboration within the industry and stated opening the space sector to private participation had created new opportunities and encouraged innovation.

Notably, the session brought together leaders of businesses working in rocket development, reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satellites, advanced propulsion systems, space and defence intelligence, space-debris removal, and AI-powered weather and climate intelligence.

For context, the CEOs highlighted the rapid expansion of India's private space industry and shared their vision for the sector. They remarked their businesses had developed technologies indigenously and thanked the Prime Minister for the government's backing.

In practice, the founders additionally highlighted growing collaboration within the industry and stated opening the space sector to private participation had created new opportunities and encouraged innovation.

Congratulating the entrepreneurs, Modi remarked their confidence had strengthened the vision behind opening the space sector to private players. He remarked numerous countries either could not invest in the space sector or did not wish to do so, creating a major opportunity for India to strengthen its global position.

For context, the Prime Minister pressed businesses to explore new applications of space technologies that could improve people's lives. He additionally suggested greater collaboration between space businesses and organisations in other sectors.

While those developing space technologies for agriculture could partner with agricultural universities and departments to support farmers produce better decisions and improve productivity, he remarked businesses working on space debris could collaborate with environmental organisations.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Modi pressed creating an ecosystem where "when the world thinks of space, it looks towards India." He stated India's space sector could attract global talent, firms and investment.

Meanwhile, the interaction was attended by founders and CEOs of 20 space start-ups, including Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, GalaxEye, PierSight, Bellatrix Aerospace, Digantara, SatSure, Suhora Technologies, Manastu Space, Astrobase, TakeMe2Space, VyomIC, Cosmoserve Space, OrbitAID Aerospace, SkyServe (Hyspace), Serendipity Space, Vassar Labs and mistEO.

Taken together, the developments around PM Modi meets 20 space start-up CEOs, pitches India as global space point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.