Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged India’s growing space startup sector to expand its focus beyond traditional space activities and develop solutions for areas that affect everyday life. He asked entrepreneurs to explore the use of space technology in agriculture, livestock management, dairy, environmental protection and other sectors. He said stronger links between space companies and organisations in these fields could help turn India’s space capabilities into practical solutions for people.

Modi suggested that startups working on space debris should partner with environmental organisations to expand their work. He also asked space technology companies focused on agriculture to work with agricultural universities and government departments. Such partnerships, he said, could help farmers access better information, make informed decisions and improve agricultural output.

The Prime Minister shared glimpses of his meeting with the CEOs and founders of 20 space startups at Seva Teerth. He said India’s private space ecosystem has the potential to become a major force both nationally and globally. "It was wonderful to meet the Yuva Urja of India’s space sector…young entrepreneurs and innovators who have shown remarkable courage by entering a new and demanding domain. They have taken risks, trusted the reform process and remained consistent in their efforts. Due to this, India has achieved a lot in the space sector in the last few years," he said in a post on X.

Modi also stressed the importance of introducing young students to space technology. He encouraged startups to engage with Atal Tinkering Labs and create interest in space among school children. He said such efforts could encourage students to explore science, technology and innovation and inspire the next generation to build careers in the space sector.

The Prime Minister assured the participating startups that the Indian government would continue to support their efforts to strengthen the country’s space capabilities. He said India has the opportunity to offer the world a strong, innovative and commercially viable model in the space sector. He also called for closer cooperation between space startups and companies from other industries. Such collaboration could expand the use of space-based technologies across different sectors.

Modi said India should aim to create an ecosystem where the world looks towards the country whenever it thinks about space. He added that the domestic space industry could become a major destination for global talent, companies and investment. The government’s opening of the sector to private participation has already created new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

The meeting brought together 20 startups working across a wide range of space-related technologies. Their work includes rockets, reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, satellites, avionics and advanced propulsion systems. The companies are also developing solutions in space and defence intelligence, space-debris removal, artificial intelligence-based weather services and climate intelligence.

The startup founders highlighted the rapid growth of India’s private space industry during the interaction. They said their companies had invested considerable time and effort in developing technologies and capabilities within the country. They also credited government support and cooperation across the industry for helping them build highly motivated teams and pursue ambitious plans.

The entrepreneurs said allowing private companies to participate in the space sector had created strong enthusiasm across the industry. They said the move had opened new opportunities for businesses and encouraged companies to develop advanced technologies. Several companies have also shown interest in adopting technologies created by India’s emerging private space industry.

Modi congratulated the founders for entering what he described as a new and demanding sector. He said their confidence had strengthened the government’s vision behind opening the space sector to private participation. He also pointed to the wider global opportunity for India. Many countries either do not have the ability or do not want to make large investments in space. This situation, he said, gives India an opportunity to strengthen its position in the global space industry.

The 20 startups that participated in the interaction included Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, GalaxEye, PierSight, Bellatrix Aerospace, Digantara, SatSure, Suhora Technologies, Manastu Space, Astrobase, TakeMe2Space, VyomIC, Cosmoserve Space, OrbitAID Aerospace, SkyServe (Hyspace), Serendipity Space, Vassar Labs and mistEO. Their participation reflected the growing range of private capabilities emerging within India’s space sector and the increasing role of startups in building the country’s future space ecosystem.