NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s growing ambition in space exploration, declaring that Indian astronauts will walk on the Moon by 2040 and that missions to Mars and Venus are in the pipeline.
In a video message shared at the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX-2025), jointly hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the International Astronautical Federation, Modi outlined India’s expansive roadmap in space technology.
“India’s space journey is driven not by competition, but by the vision of collective progress. It’s about pushing boundaries for the betterment of humanity,” he said in the pre-recorded message, adding that a dedicated Bharatiya Antariksha Station will be established by 2035.
Highlighting the country’s achievements and future plans, Modi referenced the Gaganyaan mission India’s maiden human spaceflight initiative scheduled for an early 2027 launch. He also announced that an Indian astronaut will soon travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a joint ISRO-NASA mission. The Axiom-4 mission, set for May 29, will include Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three international crew members for a 14-day stint aboard the ISS.
The prime minister emphasized that space exploration is both a tool of empowerment and a symbol of national pride. He pointed to major milestones like Chandrayaan missions, which have advanced lunar research, and the 2014 Mars Orbiter Mission, which marked India’s historic first attempt success in reaching Mars.
India’s space legacy, he recalled, began humbly in 1963 with the launch of a small rocket. Since then, it has evolved into a global force developing cryogenic engines, launching over 400 satellites for 34 countries, and docking two satellites in space this year.
“Space is not just about reaching a destination it’s a testament to curiosity, courage, and the collective will to move forward,” Modi concluded.