Modi Invites World to Join India Space Push

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the International Space Summit in Paris by video link, inviting France and the wider world to become partners in India's next phase of space exploration. The two-day summit, which began on September 9 and was organised by France with participation from more than 120 countries, is intended to launch regular international discussions on the future of space exploration and the evolving structure of the space economy. Modi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for the invitation and described France as a trusted partner since the Indian space programme began at Thumba in the 1960s, noting that cooperation now spans Earth observation and advanced technologies. Let the summit send a clear message that nations will explore together, innovate together and protect space together, he said, invoking the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or the world being one family, as a guiding spirit for space activities. The Prime Minister highlighted the international commercial standing of the Indian Space Research Organisation, stating that more than 430 payloads from 34 countries have been placed in orbit aboard Indian rockets.