Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday, 28 September 2026, met French Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Prof. Philippe Baptiste in New Delhi, declaring that India-France space cooperation has entered a new phase centred on human spaceflight, emerging space start-ups, and a broader bilateral space ecosystem. The meeting marked a significant diplomatic checkpoint as both nations look to deepen ties that stretch back more than six decades.

From Sounding Rockets to Human Spaceflight

According to an official statement from the Department of Space, India-France space cooperation has evolved from early sounding rocket experiments in the 1960s into a wide-ranging partnership covering joint satellite missions, launch vehicle technologies, and emerging space applications. Dr. Singh cited jointly developed satellites Megha-Tropiques and SARAL — built in collaboration between ISRO and France's national space agency CNES — as milestones of enduring bilateral commitment. The minister also pointed to cooperation in launch vehicle engine development as a concrete marker of technical depth.

TRISHNA, Gaganyaan and Microgravity Research

A third joint satellite, TRISHNA, is set to be developed soon, the minister said. Dr. Singh acknowledged CNES support for India's crewed spaceflight programme Gaganyaan, which has included the supply of consumables and the training of flight surgeons. Indian and French teams have also initiated discussions on microgravity research and parabolic flights in connection with human spaceflight — an area Prof. Baptiste specifically welcomed for expanded cooperation, including in astronaut health.

Space Start-Ups and the Innovation Ecosystem

The talks also addressed India's rapidly expanding private space sector. Over 400 Indian space start-ups are currently active in areas such as rocket building, satellite manufacturing, and space applications, according to the minister. Dr. Singh said the ongoing transformation of India's space sector has opened new possibilities for the two countries to extend cooperation beyond government agencies and established institutions, linking research bodies, industry, and start-ups in a shared ecosystem.

India-France Year of Innovation 2026

The meeting's agenda covered the upcoming Space Summit, the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 — inaugurated in February 2026 — and priorities across scientific and technological collaboration, including Space, CEFIPRA (the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research), and the Blue Economy. The Year of Innovation platform was described by Dr. Singh as an important vehicle to take the partnership in emerging technologies forward. This comes amid a broader Indian diplomatic push to internationalise its space ambitions ahead of Gaganyaan's crewed missions.

What Comes Next

With both sides signalling willingness to expand human spaceflight ties, microgravity collaboration, and start-up linkages, the bilateral space relationship appears poised for its most operationally intensive phase yet. Formal outcomes, including any joint mission announcements or framework agreements, are expected to follow through the Space Summit and other bilateral channels in the coming months.