Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for wider applications of space technology across sectors and greater collaboration between India’s space startups and industries such as agriculture, environment and education, as the government seeks to position the country as a global hub for space innovation.
Modi interacted with the CEOs and founders of 20 space startups at Seva Teerth on Friday, August 21, discussing the rapid expansion of India’s private space industry and opportunities emerging from the opening of the sector to private participation.
The startup leaders highlighted growing global interest in adopting and leveraging technologies developed by India’s emerging private space industry. They said several international companies have shown interest in technologies being developed domestically across areas including launch vehicles, satellites, propulsion, space intelligence and climate technology.
Private participation opens new opportunities
The founders credited the government’s decision to open the space sector to private participation with creating new opportunities for Indian companies.
The entrepreneurs said their companies have invested significant time and resources in developing indigenous capabilities and technologies, while receiving support from the government and collaboration within the industry.
Modi congratulated the startup leaders for taking the lead in what he described as a new area and said the confidence demonstrated by the private sector has strengthened the vision behind opening the space industry to private participation.
He noted that several countries either lack the resources or are unwilling to make significant investments in the space sector, creating an opportunity for India to strengthen its position in the global space economy.
Modi calls for wider applications
The Prime Minister urged space companies to look beyond traditional applications and explore ways in which their technologies can directly improve people’s lives.
He called for greater collaboration between space technology companies and organisations in other sectors to expand the impact of innovations developed by the industry.
For instance, companies working on space debris could collaborate with environmental organisations to scale up solutions, while space technology companies serving agriculture could work with agricultural universities and government departments to help farmers make better-informed decisions and improve productivity.
India as a magnet for global talent and investment
Modi called for the creation of an ecosystem in which India becomes a preferred destination for global space technology and investment.
He said India’s space sector has the potential to become a magnet for global talent, companies and investment, and called for an environment where the world looks towards India when considering space-related innovation and capabilities.
The focus on attracting international interest comes as Indian space startups expand across launch services, satellite technology, Earth observation, propulsion, artificial intelligence and space situational awareness.
Focus on next generation of space innovators
Modi also called for closer collaboration between space startups and Atal Tinkering Labs, saying such partnerships could nurture curiosity and interest in space among children from an early age.
The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of creating an innovation ecosystem that connects startups with young students and helps develop the next generation of space scientists, entrepreneurs and technology professionals.
20 startups participate
The interaction brought together founders and CEOs from 20 companies operating across different segments of the space industry.
The participating startups included 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.
The companies work across areas including rocket development, reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satellites, advanced propulsion, space and defence intelligence, space debris removal and AI-powered hyperlocal weather and climate intelligence.
The interaction underlined the government’s growing focus on using private-sector innovation to expand India’s role in the global space economy while linking space technology with broader economic and social development.