India carved out distinct identity in global space landscape: PM

New Delhi, Nov 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday inaugurated the Skyroot’s Infinity Campus in Hyderabad, Telangana via video conferencing.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister remarked that today the nation is witnessing an unprecedented opportunity in the space sector and highlighted that India’s space ecosystem is experiencing a major leap with the private sector taking flight. He emphasized that Skyroot’s Infinity Campus reflects India’s new thinking, innovation, and youth power, and underlined that the innovation, risk-taking ability, and entrepreneurship of the country’s youth are reaching new heights.
Modi said that today’s program is a reflection of how India will emerge as a leader in the global satellite launch ecosystem in the coming times. He extended his best wishes to Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, noting that the two young entrepreneurs are an inspiration for countless young space entrepreneurs across the country. He stressed that both of them trusted themselves, did not shy away from taking risks, and as a result the entire nation is witnessing their success today, with the country feeling proud of them.
Pointing out that India’s space journey began with limited resources but emphasized that the nation’s ambitions were never limited, Modi remarked that from carrying rocket parts on a bicycle to developing the world’s most reliable launch vehicles, India has proven that the height of dreams is determined not by resources but by resolve. “ISRO has for decades given new wings to India’s space journey and stressed that credibility, capacity, and value have established India’s distinct identity in the sector”, exclaimed the Prime Minister.
Noting that in the changing times, Modi remarked that the expansion of the space sector is evident, as it has become the foundation for communication, agriculture, marine monitoring, urban planning, weather prediction and national security. He stated that this is why historic reforms were undertaken in India’s space sector, with the government opening it to private innovation and preparing a new Space Policy.
Modi further remarked that efforts were made to connect startups and industry with innovation, and IN-SPACe was established to provide ISRO’s facilities and technology to startups. “In just the past six to seven years, India has transformed its space sector into an open, cooperative, and innovation-driven ecosystem”, emphasised the Prime Minister, stating that today’s program is a reflection of this transformation.
Emphasising that India’s youth always place national interest above all and make the best use of every opportunity, Modi remarked that when the government opened the space sector, the country’s youth, especially the Gen-Z generation, came forward to take full advantage of it.
He highlighted that today more than 300 space startups are giving new hopes to India’s space future, and noted that most of these startups began with small teams—sometimes two people, sometimes five, sometimes in a small rented room—with limited resources but with determination to reach new heights. “This spirit has given birth to the Private Space Revolution in India”, underlined the Prime Minister, stating that Gen-Z engineers, designers, coders, and scientists are creating new technologies, whether in propulsion systems, composite materials, rocket stages, or satellite platforms, and stressed that India’s youth are working in areas that were unimaginable just a few years ago.
He remarked that India’s private space talent is establishing a distinct identity across the world and added that today, for global investors, India’s space sector is becoming an attractive destination.
Underscoring that the demand for small satellites is continuously increasing across the world and noted that launch frequencies are also rising, Modi remarked that new companies are entering the field to provide satellite services and emphasized that space has now established itself as a strategic asset. He underlined that in the coming years the global space economy is set to grow manifold, and stressed that this represents a very significant opportunity for India’s youth.
“India possesses space sector capabilities that only a few countries in the world have, noting the presence of expert engineers, a high-quality manufacturing ecosystem, world-class launch sites, and a mindset that encourages innovation”, exclaimed the Prime Minister emphasizing that India’s space capability is both cost-effective and reliable, which is why the world has high expectations from the country. He remarked that global companies want to manufacture satellites in India, avail launch services from India, and seek technology partnerships with India, and therefore stressed that the nation must make the most of this opportunity.
The Prime Minister remarked that the changes being witnessed in the space sector are part of the broader startup revolution taking place in India. He highlighted that over the past decade, a new wave of startups has emerged across diverse sectors such as FinTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, EduTech and DefenseTech, with India’s youth, particularly the Gen-Z generation, providing innovative solutions in every field. (PIB)