Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered virtual remarks at the inaugural International Space Summit in Paris on September 10, 2026, thanking President Emmanuel Macron for the invitation and initiative. The PM outlined India's philosophical approach to space exploration rooted in the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future), advocating for a safe, secure, peaceful, and sustainable space domain anchored in international law, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation.
Modi highlighted ISRO's significant achievements, noting that the organization has earned global admiration for excellence and cost-effective missions serving various sectors including agriculture, fisheries, weather forecasting, disaster management, and navigation. Specifically, he mentioned that ISRO has launched more than 430 satellites from 34 countries aboard Indian rockets, demonstrating India's capabilities and global trust in its space program.
The address detailed India's recent space accomplishments including the Chandrayaan-3 mission that made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole, the Aditya-L1 solar mission currently studying the Sun, and last year's visit of an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station. Looking forward, Modi announced India's ambitious goals to establish an Indian space station by 2035 and send an Indian to the Moon by 2040, emphasizing that the benefits of these efforts must reach all humanity.
Modi also noted the growing participation of India's private space sector, describing it as "surging in a big way" with enterprise energy joining ISRO's excellence. He highlighted France's long-standing partnership with India's space program dating back to the 1960s Thumba beginnings, with current cooperation spanning Earth observation and advanced technologies. The PM extended an invitation to France and the world to participate in India's next space frontier, concluding with a call for collective exploration, innovation, and protection of space for all humanity and future generations.