Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the 10th IN-SPACe Industry Connect in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, calling on Indian entrepreneurs and innovators to position the country as a trusted global partner for affordable space solutions, advanced manufacturing, and deep-tech innovation.

Context

Goyal participated in a fireside chat with Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), and held conversations with key figures including Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO; Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma, India's first astronaut; Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla; and Arjun Modhwadia, Gujarat's Minister for Science and Technology. The minister described the evening as 'memorable' and said the journeys and commitment of these individuals 'continue to inspire the next generation.'

The IN-SPACe Industry Connect is an annual outreach platform that brings together space startups, private aerospace firms, investors, and policymakers alongside ISRO officials to foster collaboration and chart the sector's growth trajectory.

Policy Backdrop

India's space sector has undergone a structural transformation since June 2020, when the government announced sweeping Space Sector Reforms permitting private companies to build satellites, rockets, and offer launch services. IN-SPACe was established the same year as the nodal body to authorise, supervise, and hand-hold non-governmental entities seeking to enter the space economy.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, this liberalisation has been positioned as a pillar of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming to grow India's share of the global commercial launch and satellite services market while keeping costs competitive for international customers. Goyal underscored this arc, stating that India's space sector 'has been transformed through bold reforms, growing private participation, and a vibrant startup ecosystem.'

Stakeholders and Impact

The 10th edition of the Industry Connect signals a maturing dialogue between the government and the private NewSpace ecosystem. Space startups and private aerospace firms stand to benefit most directly from the policy signals Goyal articulated — particularly his call to 'think globally, innovate fearlessly and seize the opportunity' to make India a hub for affordable space solutions.

The presence of Wing Commander (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard Soyuz T-11 in 1984 and remains an enduring symbol of India's space ambitions, alongside active mission personnel such as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, reinforced the continuity between India's pioneering spaceflight heritage and its current human spaceflight programme. The minister's engagement with Gujarat's science minister also points to a growing role for state governments in enabling the space startup ecosystem.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the roll-out of India's Indian Space Policy framework and progress on the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, where private sector contributions to crewed missions are increasingly expected. Goyal's remarks at the forum signal that commerce and industry policy will remain closely aligned with the space sector's expansion goals, particularly around export-oriented manufacturing and deep-tech partnerships with global players.

As India seeks to grow its share of the multi-billion-dollar global space economy, forums like the IN-SPACe Industry Connect are becoming key venues where policy direction, private capital, and scientific ambition converge — with the government's message to entrepreneurs now firmly global in its orientation.