GLEX 2025: PM Modi Urges Global Space Unity After Operation Sindoor Success, Outlines India’s Moon, Mars & Space Station Plans

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025 held in New Delhi, outlined an ambitious and inclusive roadmap for India’s space program. His message emphasized unity in exploration, stressing that India’s journey to the stars is not about competition but collective progress. “India’s space journey is not about racing others. It is about reaching higher together,” he said, reinforcing the country’s commitment to shared growth and discovery in the global space community.

A Journey From Modest Beginnings to Global Leadership

Recounting India’s humble space origins, PM Modi reflected on the launch of a small rocket from Thumba in 1963. That moment, he said, ignited the dreams of over a billion Indians. Since then, India’s space agency ISRO has grown to become a respected force in global space efforts. Notable milestones include:

Chandrayaan-3: The first successful landing near the Moon’s south pole.

Chandrayaan-1 & 2: Critical discoveries of water and high-resolution lunar imaging.

Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan): India became the first country to reach Mars on its maiden attempt in 2014.

PSLV-C37: The successful launch of 104 satellites in a single mission, setting a global record.

These missions have positioned India as not just a regional player but a global leader in affordable and efficient space exploration.

Ambitious Roadmap: From the ISS to the Moon and Beyond

Looking ahead, PM Modi unveiled India’s next milestones in space:

Gaganyaan Mission: India’s first crewed mission, symbolizing its leap into human spaceflight.

ISRO-NASA Collaboration: An Indian astronaut is set to travel to the International Space Station in the coming weeks.

Bhartiya Antariksh Station: India aims to build and operate its own space station by 2035.

Indian Moon Landing by 2040: With long-term goals also extending to Mars and Venus.

These projects highlight a confident, forward-looking strategy that combines technological prowess with geopolitical ambition.

Space for Empowerment: Technology That Serves the People

While much of the global focus on space centers on scientific breakthroughs, PM Modi emphasized space technology’s role in solving terrestrial problems. “For India, space is about exploration as well as empowerment,” he said. India is leveraging satellite technology to:

Improve Governance: Tools like satellite imaging are enhancing public policy execution.

Enhance Livelihoods: Fishermen receive real-time alerts; platforms like PM Gatishakti ensure smarter infrastructure planning.

Boost Public Safety: From railway security to climate prediction, space-based systems are becoming integral to daily life.

These applications showcase how India is ensuring that advancements in space benefit every citizen.

Private Sector and Startups: A Thriving Ecosystem

One of the most significant transformations in India’s space journey is the opening of the sector to private players. PM Modi revealed that over 250 space startups have emerged since the policy shift, bringing new energy and innovation to the ecosystem. These startups are now contributing to satellite manufacturing, launch vehicles, and deep tech solutions, positioning India as a hub for new-age space technology.

Notably, many of these initiatives are being led by women scientists and engineers, a fact the Prime Minister proudly highlighted during his address, calling it a reflection of India’s inclusive progress.

A Call to the World: Together Towards the Stars

PM Modi closed his address with a powerful message rooted in India’s ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — the world is one family. He urged the global space community to look beyond borders and collaborate for a united, purposeful future in space.

“Let us dream together, build together, and reach for the stars together,” he said, encapsulating a spirit of cooperation that could redefine the next era of space exploration