PM Modi wants India to ‘create an aura’ that can draw space talent; urges startups to build global businesses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for India to build an ecosystem capable of attracting space talent from across the world, saying the country’s growing private space sector can become a major strength as Indian startups expand into global markets.

Interacting with the CEOs and founders of 20 space startups on the third National Space Day on Sunday at Seva Teerth, Modi said India should create an environment where professionals from around the world see the country as a destination to build their careers in the space sector.

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“I believe we should create an aura where people from all over the world feel that if they want to build a life in this field, they should come to India—join an Indian startup or the Indian space agency. I am convinced that we can attract this entire talent pool like a magnet, and it can become a tremendous strength for us.”

Modi also highlighted India’s cost competitiveness, talent pool and willingness to take risks as advantages that could help the country establish itself in the global space industry.

“We are highly cost-competitive. There is no question regarding the quality of talent, and since the people of our country naturally possess a high capacity for risk-taking, we can rapidly carve out a niche for ourselves.”

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of policy stability in encouraging entrepreneurs to invest and take risks in the capital-intensive space sector. He said startups had demonstrated courage by entering a relatively new industry and placing their trust in the government.

“You have shown courage in a new sector. The most important thing is that you placed your trust in the government. My view has always been that whatever decisions we make, we must remain consistent. We shouldn't keep changing them constantly; that way, anyone willing to take a risk can feel assured—knowing that if something goes wrong due to their own error, that’s one thing, but no one will abandon them. That is the trust we are striving to build.”

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The interaction involved founders and CEOs from 20 startups working across different parts of the space ecosystem, including launch vehicles, satellites, earth observation, in-space mobility, satellite servicing, robotics, ground stations and space-based pharmaceuticals.

The participating companies 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.

The discussion comes as India’s private space industry expands beyond satellite manufacturing and applications into launch vehicles and more specialised technologies aimed at supporting a broader commercial space economy.

Founders told Modi about the growing international interest in Indian space startups and the return of professionals from the US and Europe.

“I think after the opening of the space industry, we have seen a very good trend. All our citizens in the US and Europe want to come back and work with us.”

Modi said this trend should be strengthened by building an ecosystem that can attract people from around the world.

“We have to connect many people. People from abroad are coming back. I think we should create such an aura that in this field, people from all over the world can come to India and join India's start-ups and space agencies.”

The Prime Minister’s comments come as Indian space companies increasingly look towards international markets. Startup founders pointed to India’s relatively lower costs, availability of skilled talent and willingness to take risks as factors that could help domestic companies compete globally.

“India's companies are now supporting the government to export. We are very competitive in cost. There is no question of talent. And the risk-taking capacity of our people is more. And because of that, we can make our place very quickly.”

The Prime Minister’s remarks underline the government’s broader ambition to position India not only as a cost-competitive space services provider, but also as a destination for companies, investment and skilled professionals building the next generation of space technologies.