New Delhi: India and France have agreed to further strengthen their long-standing cooperation in the space sector, with a focus on human spaceflight, advanced space technologies and greater collaboration between their space agencies, industries and emerging private space ecosystems.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, held a virtual bilateral meeting with France’s Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, Prof. Philippe Baptiste.
The meeting was held ahead of the International Space Summit in Paris on September 9-10, 2026, and the Bengaluru Space Expo from September 7-9, 2026. The two sides discussed India’s participation in the Paris Summit, France’s participation in the Bengaluru Space Expo and Prof. Baptiste’s forthcoming visit to India later this month.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India looks forward to participating in the Paris Summit and further strengthening its strategic space partnership with France. He noted that the Summit’s focus on space science, technology and applications, the space economy and secure space offers an important platform for international cooperation on the future of the sector.
India also welcomed the proposed Summit outcomes concerning the sustainable use of outer space, accessibility and openness of space-based scientific data, as well as the integrity of such data. India also expressed support for the International Telecommunication Union’s regulatory framework for frequency management and conveyed its readiness to exchange views with France during the finalisation of the initiatives.
India to Highlight Future Human Spaceflight
A key aspect of the discussions was India’s contribution to the Paris Summit. The Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, has been invited to deliver the opening keynote on India’s future human spaceflight activities in Low Earth Orbit.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that, if considered useful by the French side, members of the Indian delegation could also make presentations on other areas, including space design and manufacturing technologies, connectivity from space and exploration beyond the International Space Station.
Prof. Philippe Baptiste expressed France’s interest in further strengthening and accelerating the existing cooperation with India in space. He also thanked India for the proposed video message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Paris Summit and welcomed continued consultations on the declarations proposed for adoption at the event.
The two ministers also discussed France’s participation in the Bengaluru Space Expo and opportunities to expand interaction among the two countries’ space agencies, industries and start-up ecosystems.
French Minister to Visit India
Prof. Baptiste is scheduled to visit India from September 28-30, 2026. During the visit, he has expressed interest in visiting ISRO facilities in Bengaluru and meeting Dr. Jitendra Singh. Both sides agreed that their respective teams would continue discussions on new areas of cooperation and possible additional presentations by the Indian delegation at the Paris Summit.
India and France have maintained a close space partnership for nearly six decades. Cooperation between ISRO and France’s CNES has included joint satellite missions such as Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, while the two countries are pursuing further collaboration in Earth observation and climate-related applications.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding India-France space cooperation through innovation, research, human spaceflight, technology development and increased participation of the private space sector.
