India, France Chart Next Phase of Space Ties with Focus on Human Spaceflight and Start-ups

India and France have agreed to broaden their space partnership beyond government agencies, with human spaceflight, microgravity research and private-sector collaboration emerging as key areas for the coming phase.

The direction was set at a meeting in New Delhi between Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and a French delegation led by Prof. Philippe Baptiste, France's Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space.

Dr. Singh traced the partnership to the sounding rocket experiments of the 1960s, noting that it has grown to include joint satellite missions, launch vehicle engine development and human spaceflight. He cited Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, both built jointly by ISRO and CNES, as milestones, and said work on the third joint satellite, TRISHNA, is progressing well.

CNES support for India's Gaganyaan programme — including the supply of consumables and the training of flight surgeons — was acknowledged at the talks. Teams from both sides have also begun discussions on microgravity research and parabolic flights linked to human spaceflight.

Dr. Singh pointed to the transformation of India's space sector, where more than 400 start-ups are now active in rocket building, satellite manufacturing and space applications. He said the next phase of cooperation could bring together government institutions, industry and start-ups from both countries to create a larger ecosystem and a wider resource pool.

Both sides highlighted the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of France in February, as a platform for advancing collaboration in emerging technologies. A Water Cycle and TRISHNA Mission event is scheduled in Bengaluru on October 11, with ISRO contributing outreach material and senior officials speaking on the satellite and its applications.

The discussions also covered biotechnology, digital sciences and ocean sciences, along with continuing engagement through CEFIPRA and Indo-French joint centres. Dr. Singh referred to India's Deep Ocean Mission and the scope for cooperation in ocean sciences under the blue economy framework.

Prof. Baptiste said France shares India's vision for advancing science, technology and space cooperation, describing TRISHNA as a strong example of joint achievement. He welcomed deeper collaboration in human spaceflight, astronaut health, microgravity research and parabolic flights, and spoke positively about connecting research institutions and start-ups from both countries.

The Indian side included Secretaries Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, Dr. T. Srinivasa Kumar and Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, CSIR Director General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, and representatives from the Department of Space, the Ministry of External Affairs and CEFIPRA. The French delegation included Ambassador Thierry Mathou and senior officials from the ministry and ESSEC.