Aug 23 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met the founders and chief executives of 20 space startups, highlighting the rapid expansion of the country’s private space industry and opportunities emerging in the sector.
The meeting took place at Seva Teerth on Friday, as India seeks to strengthen its position in the global space industry and attract investment, talent and technological partnerships.
The startups represented a broad range of space technologies, including rocket development, reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satellites, advanced propulsion systems, space and defence intelligence, space-debris removal and artificial intelligence-powered weather and climate intelligence.
According to the Indian government, the startup leaders briefed Modi on the progress made by their companies and outlined their ambitions for the future of India’s private space sector.
The founders said they had invested significant time and resources in developing indigenous technologies and capabilities, while thanking the government for its support in opening up the sector to private participation.
They also highlighted growing collaboration among companies and said several firms had expressed interest in adopting technologies developed by India’s emerging private space industry.
Modi congratulated the entrepreneurs for entering what he described as a challenging and emerging field, saying their confidence demonstrated the potential of India’s decision to open the space sector to private players.
He said countries that lacked the resources or willingness to invest heavily in space presented India with an opportunity to expand its global footprint.
The Prime Minister urged Indian space companies to look beyond traditional applications and develop technologies that can address everyday challenges.
He called for greater collaboration between space companies and organisations in other sectors, including agriculture and environmental protection.
Modi cited space-debris removal as an area where companies could work with environmental organisations, while space technology firms focused on agriculture could partner with agricultural universities and government agencies to help farmers improve productivity.
He called for the development of an ecosystem in which “when the world thinks of space, it looks towards India,” saying the sector could become a magnet for global talent, companies and investment.
Modi also encouraged greater cooperation between private space companies and Atal Tinkering Labs, which promote innovation and scientific experimentation among schoolchildren.
He said such partnerships could help cultivate interest in space technology among young Indians from an early age.
The 20 startups represented at the meeting included Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, GalaxEye, PierSight, Bellatrix Aerospace, Digantara, SatSure, Suhora Technologies, Manastu Space, Astrobase, TakeMe2Space, VyomIC, Cosmoserve Space, OrbitAID Aerospace, SkyServe, Serendipity Space, Vassar Labs and mistEO.
The engagement comes as India seeks to build a larger private-sector role in space, complementing the country’s established public space programme while positioning domestic companies to compete in the rapidly expanding global space economy.
