Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said that “Space” will ensure global space for India as a frontline nation in the world. Emphasising India’s expanding role in the global space ecosystem, the Minister said that the country is fast emerging as a preferred destination for space sector engagement and investment, reflected in the steady stream of global delegations visiting India in recent months.
Addressing the India International Space Conclave (IISC) 2025 in New Delhi, organised by the Indian Space Association (ISpA), Dr. Singh underlined that India’s space sector is undergoing a decisive transformation. The Conclave’s theme, “Expanding Horizons: Innovation, Inclusion & Resilience in the New Space Age,” he said, captures the dynamism and energy reshaping India’s growing space industry. The Minister stated that government reforms have created an enabling environment where talent, technology and investment converge to drive the growth of India’s space economy.
Highlighting the country’s policy shift since 2019—opening up the sector to private participation, establishing IN-SPACe as a single-window regulatory body, and releasing the National Space Policy in 2023—Dr. Singh said these measures have allowed India to expand its presence on the global space map. He pointed out that India has always possessed strong scientific capability, but encouraging innovation and wider participation has been the true turning point.
Speaking on the “inclusion” aspect of the theme, the Minister noted that the unlocking of the space sector has led to the active participation of start-ups, students, industry and citizens in a domain once limited to government institutions. He said that more than 300 space start-ups have emerged in the past few years, many of which have attracted foreign investments and delivered cutting-edge innovations, showcasing India’s entrepreneurial talent.
Referring to “innovation,” Dr. Singh praised India’s remarkable space milestones—from the Chandrayaan-3 landing on the lunar south pole and the discovery of water on the Moon to the success of Mangalyaan and the record launch of 104 satellites in one mission. He said India’s greatest achievement lies in applying space technology for governance and citizen welfare, with nearly 70 percent of space applications now contributing to improving everyday life. He cited examples such as the Gati Shakti platform for infrastructure planning, SWAMITVA for land mapping, satellite-assisted disaster management, telemedicine in remote regions, and railway safety systems.
Dr. Singh emphasised that this approach also strengthens “resilience,” another key element of the IISC theme. India’s satellite-based services now play a crucial role in disaster response, agriculture, weather forecasting and communication, not just within the country but also in neighbouring nations including Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar.
The Minister added that growing international confidence, reflected in the participation of delegations from Japan, Italy and other countries, reaffirms India’s emergence as a trusted global partner in the space domain. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for removing longstanding barriers in strategic sectors like space and atomic energy, thereby fostering the policy environment necessary for global expansion.
As IISC 2025 brought together key stakeholders from ministries, industry, space agencies, academia, investors and start-ups, Dr. Singh said the deliberations would further strengthen India’s aspiration to build an innovative, inclusive and resilient space ecosystem. He concluded that with the space economy expected to grow fivefold in the coming years, India is well positioned to secure a leading role in the evolving global space order.