India-France
India, France gear up for major space push with Gaganyaan, TRISHNA cooperation
India-France space cooperation has evolved from sounding rocket experiments in the 1960s into a broad partnership encompassing joint satellite missions, launch-vehicle technologies, human spaceflight and emerging space applications, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Monday.
He said the long-standing relationship between the two countries presents an opportunity to build a larger ecosystem by bringing together governments, research institutions, industries and start-ups, including through deeper engagement in the rapidly expanding space sector.
A high-level French delegation led by Prof. Philippe Baptiste, France’s Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, met Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Monday.
The meeting covered the International Space Summit, the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 and priorities for scientific and technological cooperation, including space, CEFIPRA and the Blue Economy.
Singh said the breadth of the French delegation reflected the wide-ranging nature of India-France cooperation across multiple scientific domains.
He said India-France space cooperation dates back to the early years of the two countries’ respective space programmes, with the partnership progressing from sounding rocket experiments in the 1960s to present-day human spaceflight initiatives.
He cited Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, jointly developed by ISRO and France’s CNES, as well as cooperation in launch-vehicle engine development, as milestones in the longstanding partnership. He also said work on the third joint satellite mission, TRISHNA, is progressing well.
Singh appreciated CNES’ support for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, including the supply of consumables and training for flight surgeons.
Indian and French teams have also initiated discussions on microgravity research and parabolic flights in connection with human spaceflight.
The Minister said the ongoing transformation of India’s space sector has opened new opportunities to expand cooperation beyond government institutions and established space agencies.
Referring to India’s space-sector reforms and the growth of its private ecosystem, Singh said more than 400 Indian space start-ups are now working in areas including rocket development, satellite manufacturing and space applications.
He said the next phase of India-France cooperation could bring together government institutions, industries and start-ups from both countries to create a larger ecosystem and a wider pool of resources and expertise.
Singh said the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of France in February, provides an important platform to advance cooperation in innovation and emerging technologies.
He also referred to the upcoming Water Cycle and TRISHNA Mission event in Bengaluru on October 11, where ISRO will contribute outreach material and senior officials will speak about the TRISHNA satellite and its applications.
The Minister placed the space partnership within the broader context of India-France scientific cooperation spanning biotechnology, digital sciences and technologies, and ocean sciences.
He referred to continuing engagement through institutions and mechanisms such as CEFIPRA and Indo-French joint research centres, saying the partnership has continued to expand across multiple scientific domains.
On the Blue Economy, Singh highlighted the scope for greater cooperation in ocean sciences and India’s Deep Ocean Mission, which seeks to explore the scientific and resource potential of the deep oceans.
He said the expanding engagement across space, science and ocean-related domains provides an opportunity to build a broader India-France partnership involving institutions and stakeholders across the ecosystem.
Prof. Philippe Baptiste said France shares India’s vision of advancing cooperation in science, technology and space and expressed interest in expanding collaboration in these areas.
He described TRISHNA as an example of what India and France can achieve together and welcomed greater cooperation in human spaceflight, astronaut health, microgravity research and parabolic flights.
He also highlighted the potential for connecting research institutions and start-ups from both countries, reflecting a shared objective of building a stronger India-France innovation ecosystem.
The meeting comes as India and France mark 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation, with cooperation continuing across space, science and technology, biotechnology, digital technologies and ocean sciences.
The discussions are expected to provide further momentum to the longstanding partnership, particularly in emerging areas and through greater collaboration among research institutions, industries and start-ups. India and France have also reaffirmed their intention to deepen cooperation in human spaceflight, advanced space technologies and greater engagement between their space agencies and industries.
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