PM Modi Addresses First International Space Summit in Paris
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first International Space Summit in Paris by video conference and set out India's space goals for 2035 and 2040.

Why in News
On 10 September 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first International Space Summit at Paris in France through video conference, and restated the targets of an Indian space station by 2035 and an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at the International Space Summit in Paris, France, on 10 September 2026. He took part through video conference. He described the meeting as the first summit of its kind. He thanked President Emmanuel Macron for the timely initiative and for the invitation to join it.
What the Prime Minister said
He said space offers limitless promise and that the duty to use it well belongs to everyone. He pointed out that orbits are filling up, that technology keeps getting stronger and that the number of players keeps rising. His prescription was plain. Nations should work together rather than against each other. They should look after the long term rather than chase a quick gain. They should take everyone along rather than shut anyone out. He linked this outlook to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which he explained as One Earth, One Family, One Future. He also asked that scientific data be shared openly and honestly so that it serves the common good.
India's record in space
He said ISRO sits at the centre of this journey and is respected around the world for missions that cost little and achieve much. Indian rockets have carried more than 430 payloads for 34 countries. Satellites are used for weather forecasting, disaster management and navigation, and the benefit reaches farmers and fishermen. He named Aditya-L1, which is studying the Sun at present, and recalled that an Indian astronaut went to the International Space Station last year. Chandrayaan-3, he said, made India the first country to land near the south pole of the Moon.
Targets ahead
| Own space station | By 2035 |
| Indian astronaut on the Moon | By 2040 |
He added that private space companies in India are growing quickly alongside government agencies, so the energy of enterprise is now joining the excellence of ISRO.
The France connection
He recalled that France has been a trusted partner since the Indian space programme started at Thumba in the 1960s. The two countries now work together on Earth observation and on advanced technologies. He invited France and the rest of the world to become co-travellers on India’s next space frontier. He closed with an appeal that nations explore, innovate and protect space together, for all of humanity and for the generations that follow.
Important Facts
| Event | First International Space Summit |
|---|---|
| Venue | Paris, France |
| Addressed by | Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through video conference |
| Initiative and invitation | President Emmanuel Macron of France |
| Foreign payloads launched | More than 430 payloads for 34 countries |
| Indigenous space station | Target year 2035 |
| Indian astronaut on the Moon | Target year 2040 |
| Solar mission named | Aditya-L1 |
| Lunar first | Chandrayaan-3 landed near the south pole of the Moon |
Exam Point of View
Remember that the Paris meeting was the first International Space Summit, that the Prime Minister joined it by video conference at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, the launch figures of more than 430 payloads for 34 countries, the two targets 2035 for an indigenous space station and 2040 for an astronaut on the Moon, the solar mission Aditya-L1, and that Chandrayaan-3 landed near the lunar south pole.
Practice Questions
Where was the first International Space Summit, addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held?
- A.Berlin
- B.Paris
- C.Rome
- D.Madrid
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Paris
Explanation
The correct answer is Paris. The release states that the Prime Minister addressed the International Space Summit held in Paris, France, and that he joined the gathering through video conference. He thanked President Emmanuel Macron for the timely initiative behind the summit and for the gracious invitation extended to him, and he described it as the first summit of its kind. His closing appeal was framed around the city itself, asking that the Space Summit in Paris send out a clear message that nations will explore, innovate and protect space together. Berlin is therefore wrong, because the release makes no mention of Germany or of any German city in connection with this meeting. Rome is wrong for the same reason, as Italy does not figure anywhere in the account of the summit. Madrid is wrong as well, since Spain is not named at any point. Only France, its capital and its President appear in the release, which makes Paris the single defensible option here.
By which year does India plan to establish its own space station, as stated at the summit?
- A.2030
- B.2035
- C.2040
- D.2045
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2035
Explanation
The correct answer is 2035. While outlining the road map for the country, the Prime Minister announced plans to establish an indigenous space station by 2035 and to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. These are the only two forward-looking dates given in the release, and the earlier of the two belongs to the space station. Option C, 2040, is a very tempting distractor because that year does appear in the release, but it is attached to the crewed lunar mission and not to the station, so a candidate who mixes up the two loses the mark. Option A, 2030, does not appear in the release at all and has simply been placed there because it looks like a plausible round-number goal. Option D, 2045, is likewise absent from the account of the address. The safest way to hold this pair in memory is as a sequence: the station comes first, the Moon landing follows five years later.
Which Indian mission was cited as having made India the first nation to land near the south pole of the Moon?
- A.Chandrayaan-2
- B.Chandrayaan-3
- C.Aditya-L1
- D.Gaganyaan
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Chandrayaan-3
Explanation
The correct answer is Chandrayaan-3. Recalling the landmarks of the Indian space programme, the Prime Minister said that Chandrayaan-3 made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole, and he presented that touchdown as a benchmark for the world. Option A, Chandrayaan-2, is not credited with this achievement anywhere in the release, and the only lunar mission it names in this context is the third one, so the answer cannot be shifted to the earlier mission. Option C, Aditya-L1, is named in the same passage but for an entirely different purpose: it is described as unlocking the secrets of the Sun, which makes it a solar observation mission rather than a lunar one. Option D, Gaganyaan, does not appear in the release at all; what the address does mention is that an Indian astronaut visited the International Space Station in the previous year, which is a separate fact and not a mission name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the first International Space Summit held?
At Paris in France. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed it through video conference on 10 September 2026, after President Emmanuel Macron took the initiative and invited him.
By when does India plan to have its own space station?
By 2035. The Prime Minister also said at the summit that India plans to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
How many foreign payloads have Indian rockets carried?
More than 430 payloads belonging to 34 countries, the Prime Minister said while describing the launch services offered by ISRO.
Sources
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses the International Space Summit in Paris, France (opens in a new tab) — Press Information Bureau
- Text of PM’s remarks at the International Space Summit in Paris via VC (opens in a new tab) — Press Information Bureau
Current Affairs 10 September 2026
- 9th ASEAN-India Agriculture Ministerial Meeting Held in New DelhiSummits & Conferences
- Exercise Samudra Laksamana: INS Mysore Reaches Lumut, MalaysiaDefence
- E-Commerce Rules Amended to Strengthen Consumer ProtectionNational
- NSO Releases First District-Level Estimates of Unincorporated SectorReports & Indices
- DRI Seizes 41 kg Smuggled Gold Worth Rs 62 Crore Across IndiaEconomy
- Scholarships Worth Rs 12,773 Crore for 1.44 Crore SC StudentsGovernment Schemes
- Kishor Makwana Conferred Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Jan Seva Award 2026Awards & Honours
Related Current Affairs
- Summits & Conferences
9th ASEAN-India Agriculture Ministerial Meeting Held in New Delhi
23 September 2026 · 2 min read
- Summits & Conferences
Vice-President Opens 9th India International Water Week 2026
22 September 2026 · 2 min read
- Summits & Conferences
NHRC Ends Fifth ITEC Human Rights Course for Global South
19 September 2026 · 2 min read
Take the Quiz
- Current Affairs Quiz
State Exams Current Affairs Quiz: 10 September 2026
24 questions24 minutesStart Quiz


