India poised for global leadership in new space economy, says Dr Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, November 19: India’s growing space capabilities will secure a stronger global role for the country in the coming decades, Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday. Addressing the India International Space Conclave (IISC 2025), he said the country is emerging as a preferred global destination for space sector partnerships, investment and technology collaboration.

The Minister said India’s space sector is undergoing decisive transformation in line with this year’s conclave theme — “Expanding Horizons: Innovation, Inclusion & Resilience in the New Space Age.” Reforms introduced since 2019, including opening the sector to private players, setting up IN-SPACe as a single-window regulator and releasing the 2023 space policy, have created an enabling ecosystem for innovation, he said.

Dr Singh highlighted the “inclusion” element of the theme, noting that more than 300 space start-ups have emerged in just a few years, many attracting foreign investment and rapidly scaling their capabilities. Rocket launches that once drew only a few officials now attract thousands of citizens, students and industry representatives, he said.

On innovation, he pointed to India’s major missions — Chandrayaan’s south pole landing, the detection of lunar water, Mangalyaan and the launch of 104 satellites in a single mission. He said India’s greatest contribution lies in using space technology for governance, citing applications that support Gati Shakti infrastructure planning, SWAMITVA land mapping, disaster management, telemedicine and railway safety.

He added that these applications also build “resilience,” with satellite-based systems strengthening agriculture planning, weather forecasting, communication and disaster response. India is also extending these tools to neighbouring nations including Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar.

Dr Singh said growing interest from global delegations — including from Japan and Italy — reflects strong confidence in India’s expanding space ecosystem. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dismantling long-standing barriers in strategic sectors and enabling India’s rise as a key global space partner.

He said discussions at IISC 2025, which brought together ministries, industry, investors, space agencies, start-ups and academia, would help accelerate the country’s progress in building an innovative, inclusive and resilient space economy. With the global space industry projected to grow fivefold, India is well-positioned to strengthen its leadership role, he said.