India and EU Discuss Space Cooperation in High-Level Meeting
A high-level European Union delegation, led by Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, met with Indian officials, including ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan and senior space scientists, to discuss ongoing and future space cooperation.
During the meeting, discussions covered India's independent satellite capabilities, recent space missions such as Chandrayaan-3, SPADEX, and Gaganyaan, and future initiatives, including India's planned space station, "Bharatiya Antariksh Station." The talks also addressed India's space sector reforms, which opened the industry to private participation through the establishment of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).
The delegation was informed about India's collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and individual European nations on multiple space missions. European industries have contributed to India’s space program, including in liquid engine development and satellite launches.
India’s growing private space sector, with over 200 startups engaged in satellite manufacturing, rocket building, and application development, was also highlighted. Many of these companies have expanded into European markets.
ISRO is set to host the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) in collaboration with the International Astronautical Federation in May 2025 in New Delhi. The event will bring together global stakeholders from the space industry.
Representatives from the EU delegation included Cabinet Expert Benjamin Hartmann and EU Defence Attaché Fabrizio Falzi. Indian officials from ISRO, IN-SPACe, and the Ministry of External Affairs were also present at the meeting.