ISRO Astronaut Designates Gp. Capt. PB Nair and Gp. Capt. Angad Pratap and industry leaders emphasize India’s role in shaping the future of space exploration and sustainability
The India International Space Conclave (IISC) 2025, organized by the Indian Space Association (ISpA), concluded today with a resounding call for India to play a leading role in global space exploration, innovation and sustainability. The conclave brought together astronaut designates, ISRO leaders, government officials and industry pioneers, all united in their vision for a more inclusive, resilient and technologically advanced space ecosystem. The event witnessed participation of over 1000 attendees attending the power-packed sessions on various aspects of the space sector, over the two-day forum. As India prepares to send its astronauts to space and expand its footprint in the global space economy, leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration, competence and the need for India to represent the Global South in shaping the future of space governance and exploration.
During the 2nd day, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Association (ISpA) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to foster new collaboration, knowledge-sharing and industry dialogue between Europe and India’s rapidly expanding space ecosystem. The partnership will enable both sides to explore joint opportunities in space research, commercial activities and capability building, benefitting the broader global space industry.
The inaugural session on Day 2 witnessed Chief Guest Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Minister of State for External Affairs & Culture of India, Govt of India; Gp. Capt. PB Nair, Astronaut Designate, ISRO; Gp. Capt. Angad Pratap, Astronaut Designate, ISRO; AS Kiran Kumar, Member, Space Commission, Former Chairman, ISRO; Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd), Former Chief of the Air Staff, IAF and other leaders from the space and defence sector.
Addressing the conclave, Chief Guest Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Minister of State for External Affairs & Culture of India, Govt of India said, “We are the originals when it comes to conquering space. We have disadvantages of being a late mover, but we also have advantages of being a late mover, because all the mistakes others have made, we need not repeat them. India needs to move fast because we represent the Global South, and we can’t allow outer space to be controlled only by the Global North. We are an exception as we have built an innate capability to not only compete but collaborate with them. So, when India gets onto the table, India will also speak the language of the Global South, which will make the committee itself more inclusive. It is time to invest in the Indian space ecosystem, because if India does well, the world does well and humanity gets the advantage.”
Gp. Capt. PB Nair, Astronaut Designate, ISRO said, “Why should an Indian go to space? We missed the nuclear high table. We missed the UN Security Council high table. It is the world’s requirement that an Indian goes to space, not just India’s. This time when the new laws are going to be written for space, we are going to be at the high table as a representative of everybody else who is not there right now. This is the legacy of India which we are going to give to our entire world. And we’ve always been on space. We were so ahead that we decided, let’s relax for a bit and let the rest of the world catch up. But its time you start reintegrating your own values in the Indian knowledge system.”
Gp. Capt. Angad Pratap, Astronaut Designate, ISRO said, “The intent of India in the domain of space is very, very clear as to what it wants to do and the kind of role it wants to play in the future. The industry partners have been a major part of this nation-building process, and today we are at an inflection point wherein those kind of investments are going to come back in the form of dividends. It is not just about sending humans to space, but it is majorly about conducting research work in microgravity environment and creating space tourism which will bring in a lot of revenue and a lot of other opportunities.”
AS Kiran Kumar, Member, Space Commission, Former Chairman, ISRO said, “You get recognized only when you build your competence and not just claim the competence. Today, US or NASA are ready to work with us in a collaborative manner only because India has built its own technological capability. If we look at space as a common heritage, then more and more cooperation is required to prevent any one country from dominating the use of space. You will be part of that dialogue only if you demonstrate your competence, because if you don’t want others to dominate you, you should make sure that you have enough competence.”
In a virtual address, H.E. Marjolijn Van Deelen, EU Special Envoy for Space, Brussels said, “India matters profoundly to Europe’s security, prosperity and resilience. We are exploring the creation of an EU-India security and defence partnership that would further deepen strategic consultations and enable closer cooperation. The space landscape has changed significantly, and India and the EU have the same interest in ensuring that the space environment remains secure, safe, stable and sustainable. We are convinced that in order to strengthen space security, the EU and India cooperating together is of great importance. We see the inaugural EU-India Space Dialogue as the beginning of a deeper and more structured engagement.”
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd), Former Chief of the Air Staff, IAF said, “India’s space ecosystem is gaining momentum as startups and industry bring fresh innovation and energy. As we shift from an import-driven model to indigenous capability, it is vital to set realistic timelines and pursue practical, technology-driven solutions. Mastery of new-age technologies, whether in advanced onboard systems, AI, quantum or cyber resilience will determine our ability to lead. ISRO’s core strengths will guide this journey, but the ingenuity of our startups will be central to shaping India’s future in space.”
Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt (retd.), Director General, ISpA said, “The discussion at this conclave reflects the expanding depth of India’s engagement across multiple domains of space. The insights shared from future exploration to launch vehicles, propulsion systems, sustainability and in-orbit technologies, highlight the direction in which our ecosystem is evolving. The growing collaboration we witnessed, including the Indo-Japanese session, showcases how international partnerships are strengthening India’s role in the space domain.”
The conclave featured a high-impact panel on the future of space exploration, where ISRO Astronaut Designates Gp. Capt. PB Nair and Gp. Capt. Angad Pratap, Naoko Yamazaki, Former JAXA Astronaut alongside key members from Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC), ISRO, the Indian Air Force, and others engaged in forward-looking discussions about India’s space sector and the ambitious plan for a lunar mission by 2040. Additionally, the event showcased insights from Suhora Technologies, highlighting advancements in multi-sensor high-resolution earth observation, underscoring India’s growing capabilities in cutting-edge space technologies.
The conclave today also witnessed the release of the report “Enabling the New Space Economy: ISAM as a Pillar of Orbital Sustainability” by ISpA and IIFCL Projects Ltd, which explores how In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) will drive a sustainable and resilient space economy by extending satellite lifespans, reducing debris, and enabling new business models in orbit.
