India and France are expanding their long-standing space partnership into new areas including human spaceflight, microgravity research, space startups and emerging space technologies.
The development was discussed during a meeting between Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Space Dr Jitendra Singh and French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste in New Delhi on Monday.
The two countries have cooperated in space for more than six decades. Their partnership has included joint satellite missions, launch-vehicle technology and scientific research.
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the progress of the TRISHNA satellite programme, a joint India-France mission designed to study the Earth’s surface temperature, water resources and environmental changes.
France is also supporting India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Cooperation includes the supply of consumables and training support for flight surgeons.
Indian and French teams have now begun discussions on microgravity research and parabolic flights linked to human spaceflight.
The expansion of India’s private space sector is opening another area for cooperation. India now has more than 400 space startups working in areas such as rocket development, satellite manufacturing and space applications.
The two countries are looking at greater cooperation between government institutions, industries, research organisations and startups.
The year 2026 is being observed as the India-France Year of Innovation, providing an additional platform for cooperation in science and technology.
The two sides also discussed opportunities to connect research institutions and startups in both countries. Areas of cooperation extend beyond space to biotechnology, digital sciences and ocean sciences.
The latest discussions indicate a wider approach to the India-France space partnership, with cooperation moving beyond traditional government-to-government programmes towards industry, startups and advanced research.
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