PM Modi Addresses First International Space Summit in Paris

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

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.