Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the CEOs and founders of 20 Indian space startups at Seva Teerth in New Delhi, praising the country's rapid rise in private space technology and urging deeper collaboration to establish India as a global hub for the sector. A video of the interaction, held on Friday, was released on Sunday, 23 August.

What Modi Said to the Founders

Addressing the startup leaders, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that India's private space sector has caught the world's attention. 'The world must now be searching for Indian startups, wondering, ‘Who are the players in this?’ Because whenever a breakthrough occurs, people’s attention turns to it immediately,' he said.

Modi also acknowledged the trust the founders had placed in the government. 'The biggest thing is that you placed your trust in the word of the government. It has always been my view that whatever decision we take, we must remain consistent in it, so that even if someone wants to take a risk they do that without fear,' he said.

India's Cost and Talent Edge

The Prime Minister underscored India’s competitive strengths in the global space race. He said that in terms of cost, India is 'highly competitive,' and added: 'When it comes to talent, there is no question at all. And the risk-taking capacity of our countrymen is naturally quite high. Because of that, we can establish our position very rapidly.'

Modi also called on Indian space companies to act as a magnet for global talent, including professionals who had previously moved abroad. 'I believe we should create such an aura that across the world, people in this sector feel, ‘If you want to build a career, go to India.’ Connect with Indian startups. Connect with Indian space agencies,' he said.

Who Was in the Room

The 20 startups represented a broad cross-section of the emerging private space ecosystem, spanning rocket development, reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satellites, advanced propulsion systems, space and defence intelligence, space debris removal, and AI-powered hyperlocal weather and climate intelligence. The founders highlighted the indigenous development of their technologies and expressed gratitude for government support since the sector was opened to private participation.

Cross-Sector Collaboration Push

Modi encouraged space startups to look beyond their core domains. He specifically suggested that companies working on space debris removal could partner with environmental organisations, while those operating in agriculture technology could collaborate with agricultural universities and government departments to help farmers make better-informed decisions. The Prime Minister framed this as a broader mandate: space technology must translate into tangible improvements in people’s daily lives.

What the Industry Said

Startup founders noted that the government’s decision to open the space sector to private players had generated significant enthusiasm and unlocked new industrial opportunities. Several companies outside the space sector are now reportedly exploring how to adopt technologies developed by these startups. Industry leaders also highlighted the strong ecosystem being built through inter-company collaboration and government backing, with teams described as highly motivated to meet ambitious goals.

With global attention increasingly turning to India’s private space capabilities, the next phase will test whether policy momentum translates into commercial scale and international partnerships.