Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with 20 space startup founders and CEOs, urging wider applications of space technology and stronger industry collaboration.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the CEOs and founders of 20 Indian space startups at Seva Teerth on Thursday, highlighting the growing role of private companies in strengthening India's space capabilities and expanding the country's presence in the global space economy.
The interaction brought together entrepreneurs working across a wide range of areas, including rockets, reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, satellites, avionics, advanced propulsion, space and defence intelligence, space-debris removal and AI-powered weather and climate intelligence.
The startup leaders briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of India's private space sector and shared their plans for the industry's future. They highlighted the growing international interest in adopting and using technologies developed by Indian space companies.
The founders recalled the government's decision to open the space sector to private participation, saying it had created new opportunities for entrepreneurs and encouraged significant investment and innovation.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated the space entrepreneurs for taking the lead in a relatively new area and said the confidence shown by private companies had strengthened India's decision to expand private participation in the sector.
He noted that several countries either lack the resources or are unwilling to invest heavily in space, creating a significant opportunity for India to strengthen its position in the global space industry.
Modi urged space companies to look beyond launch vehicles and satellites and explore wider applications of space technology that can directly improve people's lives.
He called for greater collaboration between space companies and organisations working in sectors such as agriculture and the environment.
Companies developing space-debris removal technologies, for instance, could work with environmental organisations to expand their applications. Similarly, space technology firms working in agriculture could partner with agricultural universities and government departments to help farmers make better decisions and improve productivity.
The Prime Minister called for the creation of an ecosystem in which India becomes a preferred destination for global space talent, companies and investment.
He said the objective should be to build an environment where people around the world increasingly look towards India when considering space technology and innovation.
Modi also called for stronger links between space startups and Atal Tinkering Labs, saying such partnerships could spark curiosity about space and encourage children to explore science and technology from an early age.
The interaction included founders and CEOs from 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 meeting comes as India's private space ecosystem continues to expand across launch systems, satellite technology, Earth observation, space intelligence, propulsion and other emerging applications.
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