Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared India's growing space ambitions during the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025. Speaking through video call, he highlighted the country's successful space missions and announced plans to establish its own space station, called the 'Bharatiya Antariksha Station,' by 2035. He emphasised that India's rockets do more than just carry payloads—they represent the nation's expanding role in space exploration.

“Space is not merely a destination but a declaration of curiosity, courage and collective progress,” PM Modi said. “Indian rockets carry more than payloads—they carry the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians.” PM Modi recalled significant missions such as Chandrayaan-1's discovery of water on the Moon, Chandrayaan-2's high-resolution lunar imagery, and Chandrayaan-3's accomplishments at the Moon's South Pole, calling India's space successes "proof that the human spirit can defy gravity." “In 2014, India became the first country to reach Mars in its maiden attempt,” he said. “We developed cryogenic engines in record time, launched 100 satellites in a single mission, and deployed over 400 satellites for 34 countries.”

India's recent satellite docking innovation, PM Modi continued, is "a major step forward in space exploration." The Prime Minister gave real-life examples like helping fishermen with alerts, improving railway safety, and predicting the weather. “Space technology enhances governance, improves livelihoods, and inspires generations,” he said. Through the South Asia Satellite, the Prime Minister highlighted India's contribution to regional cooperation. “The G20 Satellite Mission, introduced during India’s Presidency, will be a significant contribution to the Global South,” he said. “Our space journey is not about competing with others, but about reaching greater heights together. It is about cooperation, not competition,” the PM said, noting that regional collaboration was going to be key in realising space goals. 

Speaking on India's future space ambitions, PM Modi said, “An Indian astronaut will soon travel to the International Space Station as part of an ISRO-NASA mission... By 2035, we aim to have our own Bharatiya Antariksha Station. By 2040, an Indian astronaut will leave footprints on the Moon.” The Prime Minister mentioned the increasing number of space entrepreneurs as part of India's expanding space industry. “India’s space vision is rooted in our ancient philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family,” PM Modi concluded. “We now have over 250 space startups. Many of our space missions are being led by women scientists,” he said.