Scaling Up Efforts Through Global Partnerships and Ambitious Goals
India is accelerating its space ambitions, aiming to enhance its space capabilities tenfold in the near future. To achieve this, the country has been actively forging cooperative agreements with a growing number of international partners. Over the past five years, India has signed agreements with 61 countries and five multilateral organizations, reflecting its commitment to expanding its role in global space exploration and technology.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is spearheading this initiative. ISRO Chief Somanath has emphasized the need for India to boost its space capabilities to compete as a “global superpower” in the coming years. The agency plans to launch 50 to 70 satellites over the next five years, focusing on areas such as geo-intelligence and beyond.
India’s global partnerships now span countries like the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Spain, Israel, Brazil, Singapore, and Switzerland. Since 2019, India has launched a total of 163 satellites from these nations. Additionally, India’s space diplomacy extends to talks with countries including the United States, the Philippines, France, Italy, Brunei, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Chile, and Nepal.
The country’s space initiatives are not limited to satellite launches. India has been enhancing its space cooperation across multiple fronts, reflecting its strategic focus on leveraging space capabilities for broader geopolitical and economic benefits. For instance, India’s advancements in satellite navigation, such as the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC), aim to establish a globally competitive navigation system, akin to the US’s GPS, Europe’s Galileo, and China’s BeiDou.
The Indian government has mandated that all mobile phone manufacturers incorporate NavIC compatibility into their devices by 2025, further underscoring the strategic importance of space-based technology.
India’s space ambitions also include significant military and strategic elements. The space sector is increasingly seen as vital for enhancing military capabilities, particularly for navigation and communication. The Ministry of Defence is focusing on expanding space-based technologies to improve operational effectiveness.
The growing interest in India’s space program is also reflected in its participation in the Artemis Accords, a US-led initiative aiming to return humans to the Moon and establish sustainable lunar exploration. This collaboration with NASA is expected to provide India access to advanced space technologies and strengthen its position in global space governance.
India’s space diplomacy extends to infrastructure development as well. For example, the TTC station in Brunei is crucial for monitoring satellite launches and overcoming geodetic challenges associated with space missions.
As India continues to build its space capabilities and expand its international collaborations, the country aims to position itself at the forefront of global space exploration and technology. This strategic approach not only enhances India’s space prowess but also promotes its soft power on the global stage.
The success of missions like Chandrayaan-3 has further bolstered India’s credibility in space, attracting interest from various countries and private sector players. With a burgeoning space sector comprising over 600 companies, including startups and SMEs, India is set to play a significant role in the future of space exploration.
India’s ambitious goals, combined with its growing international partnerships, reflect its determination to secure a prominent place in the global space community and influence the future of space exploration and technology.