New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted his interaction with leaders of India’s growing private space industry as the country marked National Space Day 2026, calling on startups to help transform India into a global destination for space-sector talent, companies and investment.
The Prime Minister shared a video on August 23 featuring his interaction with CEOs and founders of 20 Indian space startups, describing them as some of the country’s brightest young innovators and praising their energy, ambition and optimism. The interaction itself had taken place at Seva Teerth in New Delhi on August 21.
Modi Calls for a Global Space Talent Ecosystem
During the interaction, PM Modi urged entrepreneurs to build an ecosystem strong enough to attract highly skilled professionals from around the world.
He said India should create an environment where global talent sees the country as a preferred destination to build careers and futures in the space industry.
According to the Prime Minister, India has several competitive advantages, including cost efficiency, skilled human resources and a strong capacity for risk-taking, which could help the country emerge rapidly as a major global space player.
The Prime Minister also said India’s space sector has the potential to attract not only talent but also international companies and investment.
CEOs From 20 Space Startups Participate
The meeting brought together companies operating across a wide range of emerging space technologies.
The participating startups included:
- Skyroot Aerospace
- Agnikul Cosmos
- Pixxel
- Dhruva Space
- GalaxEye
- PierSight
- Bellatrix Aerospace
- Digantara
- SatSure
- Suhora Technologies
- Manastu Space
- Astrogate Labs
- TakeMe2Space
- VyomIC
- Cosmoserve Space
- OrbitAID Aerospace
- SkyServe
- Serendipity Space
- Vassar Labs
- MistEO
Their work spans areas including launch vehicles, reusable semi-cryogenic rockets, satellites, advanced propulsion systems, avionics, space and defence intelligence, orbital debris removal and AI-powered weather and climate intelligence.
Startups Highlight Growing International Demand
During the discussion, startup founders told the Prime Minister that technologies developed by India’s private space sector are increasingly attracting international interest.
One participant said that following a recent launch, the company had secured eight launch contracts in about a month, with most of them coming from international customers.
The discussion also highlighted emerging technologies such as satellites capable of supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing in space and applications designed to provide services to large numbers of farmers.
Startup leaders credited the government’s decision to open the space sector to private participation with creating new opportunities for Indian companies.
Space Technology Should Improve Everyday Lives
PM Modi urged companies to look beyond traditional satellite and rocket applications and explore how space technology could solve everyday problems.
He specifically encouraged greater use of space-based solutions in areas including:
- Agriculture
- Livestock management
- Dairy
- Environment
- Weather and climate intelligence
- Social development
The Prime Minister said innovations developed for the space sector should ultimately contribute to improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
Focus on Young Students and Future Innovators
Modi also encouraged space startups to collaborate with Atal Tinkering Labs to introduce schoolchildren to space technology from an early age.
He said such engagement could spark curiosity among young students and encourage more of them to consider careers in science, engineering and space exploration.
Building a strong pipeline of future scientists and engineers will be important as India expands both its government-led and private-sector space activities.
National Space Day Celebrates India’s Growing Space Ambitions
India observes National Space Day on August 23, commemorating the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a historic soft landing near the Moon’s south polar region on August 23, 2023.
This year’s celebrations come as India’s private space ecosystem continues to expand, with companies increasingly developing launch vehicles, satellites, imaging platforms, propulsion technologies and data-based services.
On Sunday, Modi said he had been impressed by the energy and ambition of India’s space startups and invited citizens to share what excited them most about the country’s space journey.
India Targets a Bigger Role in Global Space Industry
India’s decision to open its space sector to private participation has accelerated the emergence of homegrown companies working alongside ISRO and other government institutions.
The government now wants this ecosystem to move beyond domestic opportunities and compete internationally.
Modi’s latest message indicates that the next phase of India’s space strategy will focus not only on missions and technology, but also on creating a commercial ecosystem capable of attracting global talent, investment and international customers.
With Indian startups already securing overseas contracts and developing technologies across multiple areas of the space economy, the government sees the private sector as a major part of India’s ambition to become a leading global space power.
Source – Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) / Akashvani News
Supreme News Network
