Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday held a bilateral assembly with France’s Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste, with either side reviewing progress in India-France cooperation and exploring new avenues in house, synthetic intelligence and emerging technologies.
The assembly, held through video convention, underscored the rising strategic partnership between India and France in science, analysis and superior know-how sectors.
During the discussions, Singh stated the declaration of 2026 because the Indo-French Year of Innovation would offer contemporary momentum to bilateral collaboration in cutting-edge domains.
He highlighted the strengthening ties between India’s Department of Science and Technology and main French establishments, together with new initiatives in superior supplies, digital sciences, utilized arithmetic and synthetic intelligence.
The minister additionally reviewed the long-standing cooperation between Indian Space Research Organisation and Centre National d’Études Spatiales, citing joint satellite tv for pc missions reminiscent of Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, together with ongoing work on the TRISHNA undertaking.
Singh additionally referred to cooperation on NavIC floor station growth in France and acknowledged French assist for India’s Gaganyaan programme.
Highlighting India’s increasing personal house ecosystem, the minister stated latest reforms have helped create practically 400 house startups, opening up alternatives for deeper industry-level partnerships between the 2 nations.
Philippe Baptiste described India as a “key and trusted partner” in analysis and house cooperation and expressed curiosity in increasing collaboration in areas reminiscent of Earth commentary, launch techniques and house exploration.
The French minister proposed better cooperation in ocean-related knowledge sharing by means of the “Space for Ocean Alliance” initiative and prompt stronger engagement between CNES and Indian establishments.
He additionally conveyed France’s readiness to improve collaboration in human spaceflight, together with astronaut coaching, microgravity experiments and long-term joint missions.
Baptiste invited India to actively take part in the International Space Summit scheduled to be held in Paris in September 2026 and proposed coordination with India’s Bengaluru house occasion to create a broader world platform for discussions on house cooperation.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), will organise the ninth version of the Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX) 2026 – a world convention and exhibition from September 7 to 9 at BIEC, Bengaluru.
Responding positively to the proposals, Singh stated India stays open to deeper collaboration in ocean analysis and human spaceflight, highlighting India’s Deep Ocean Mission and its in depth shoreline as main strengths in advancing marine analysis partnerships.
Both sides additionally acknowledged the contribution of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research in selling long-term scientific collaboration and analysis partnerships between establishments in the 2 nations.
The assembly concluded with each nations reaffirming their dedication to strengthening cooperation in science, know-how and house by means of innovation, analysis and {industry} participation.