**Executive Summary**
On May 7, 2026, Indian Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and French Minister Prof. Philippe Baptiste held a bilateral meeting to expand cooperation in space, AI, and emerging technologies. The meeting highlighted the declaration of 2026 as the "Indo-French Year of Innovation" and reviewed progress on joint satellite missions and human spaceflight. Key upcoming milestones include the International Space Summit in Paris scheduled for September 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Innovation and Technology**
* Designation of 2026 as the "Indo-French Year of Innovation" to scale up collaboration in emerging sectors.
* Launch of a joint call on Applied Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence to foster scientific exchange.
* Strengthening of institutional partnerships in advanced materials, digital sciences, and high-technology domains.
* Recognition of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA) in sustaining long-term research partnerships.
**Space Cooperation and Missions**
* Continued collaboration on joint satellite missions including Megha-Tropiques, SARAL, and the ongoing TRISHNA project.
* Development of NavIC ground stations in France and French support for India’s Gaganyaan mission.
* Proposed expansion into human spaceflight, including training, microgravity experiments, and long-term collaborative opportunities.
* Interest in strengthening cooperation regarding Earth observation and launch systems.
**Ocean Research and Global Engagement**
* Proposal for the “Space for Ocean Alliance” to enhance collaboration in ocean-related data sharing.
* Utilization of India’s Deep Ocean Mission and extensive coastline to advance maritime research partnerships.
* Invitation for India to participate in the International Space Summit in Paris (September 2026) to create a coordinated global platform alongside India’s Bengaluru space event.
**Space Economy and Startups**
* Recognition of India’s growing ecosystem of nearly 400 space startups following recent reforms.
* Focus on creating deeper industry-level partnerships to capitalize on the projected growth of the space economy.
**Impact Analysis**
**ISRO and CNES**
**Impact**
These agencies face an expanded scope of work involving human spaceflight training, microgravity experiments, and the implementation of the TRISHNA mission.
**Action Required**
Coordinate technical teams for NavIC ground station development and establish frameworks for the "Space for Ocean Alliance" data sharing.
**Space Startups and Industry Partners**
**Impact**
The focus on industry-level partnerships and the 2026 Year of Innovation creates new commercial and R&D opportunities for the nearly 400 Indian space startups.
**Action Required**
Engage with bilateral programs and participate in the upcoming innovation and space summits to explore joint ventures.
**Academic and Research Institutions**
**Impact**
Research bodies gain access to new funding and collaboration avenues through joint calls in AI, Applied Mathematics, and digital sciences.
**Action Required**
Respond to joint calls for proposals launched by the Department of Science and Technology and CEFIPRA.
**Government and Policy Makers**
**Impact**
The bilateral relationship is strengthened through a commitment to high-technology domains and strategic alignment of global events.
**Action Required**
Plan and execute the 2026 Indo-French Year of Innovation and coordinate the September 2026 International Space Summit alignment with local events.
Key Entities Referenced
2026 Indo-French Year of Innovation: A bilateral strategic framework declared to scale up collaboration in science, technology, and emerging high-tech domains between India and France.
Gaganyaan Mission: India's flagship human spaceflight mission, which receives French support in areas such as training and microgravity experiments.
Deep Ocean Mission: An Indian initiative identified as a key strength for advancing bilateral partnerships in ocean-related research and data sharing.
ISRO and CNES: The national space agencies of India and France, respectively, collaborating on joint satellite missions like Megha-Tropiques, SARAL, and TRISHNA.
Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA): The primary institutional body responsible for sustaining long-term scientific collaboration and research partnerships between the two nations.
Department of Space
Dr. Jitendra Singh holds bilateral meeting with
French Minister India-France ties set for
expansion in space, AI and emerging
technologies
India-France Science and Space Ties Gain Fresh Momentum;
Ministers Review Progress and Future Roadmap
2026 Indo-French Year of Innovation to Drive Next Phase of
Bilateral Collaboration: Dr. Jitendra Singh
India, France Explore New Frontiers in AI, Applied
Mathematics and Advanced Materials Cooperation: Dr.
Jitendra Singh
French Minister Philippe Baptiste Proposes Enhanced
Collaboration in Human Spaceflight with India
Posted On: 07 MAY 2026 4:06PM by PIB Delhi
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
today held a bilateral meeting via video conference with Prof. Philippe Baptiste, France’s Minister for
Higher Education, Research and Space, reviewing the expanding canvas of India-France cooperation in
science, technology and space.
The interaction reflected the depth of the long-standing India-France strategic partnership, with both sides
expressing satisfaction over the sustained momentum in collaboration, particularly in high-technology
domains.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that India-France engagement in science and space has evolved into a
strong pillar of bilateral relations, contributing to both technological advancement and closer people-to-
people connect. He noted that the declaration of 2026 as the Indo-French Year of Innovation offers a
significant opportunity to scale up collaboration in emerging areas.
Referring to recent developments, the Minister spoke about the strengthening of institutional partnerships
between the Department of Science and Technology and leading French organisations, including new
initiatives in advanced materials and digital sciences, as well as the joint call on Applied Mathematics and
Artificial Intelligence launched this year.On space cooperation, Dr. Jitendra Singh referred to the long history of collaboration between ISRO and
CNES, including joint satellite missions such as Megha-Tropiques and SARAL, and ongoing work on
TRISHNA. He also mentioned cooperation on NavIC ground station development in France and
acknowledged France’s support in India’s Gaganyaan mission.
The Minister further shared that India’s space sector has seen rapid expansion following recent reforms,
with a growing ecosystem of nearly 400 space startups and strong projections for the space economy in
the coming years, creating new opportunities for deeper industry-level partnerships between the two
countries.
Prof. Philippe Baptiste, Minister for Higher Education, Research and Space, France, described India as a
key and trusted partner in space and research cooperation. Recalling his earlier engagement with ISRO, he
highlighted the strong legacy of collaboration and expressed interest in further strengthening cooperation
across Earth observation, launch systems and space exploration.
Prof. Philippe Baptiste proposed enhanced collaboration in ocean-related data sharing through the “Space
for Ocean Alliance” and suggested closer engagement between CNES and Indian institutions. He also
conveyed readiness to expand cooperation in human spaceflight, including training, microgravity
experiments and long-term collaborative opportunities.
Referring to global engagement, Prof. Baptiste invited India to participate actively in the International
Space Summit to be held in Paris in September 2026, suggesting alignment with India’s Bengaluru space
event to create a coordinated global platform for space discussions.
Responding to the proposals, Dr. Jitendra Singh welcomed the initiatives and indicated India’s openness to
further collaboration in ocean research and human spaceflight. He also highlighted India’s Deep Ocean
Mission and its extensive coastline as key strengths in advancing ocean-related partnerships.
Both sides also acknowledged the important role played by the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of
Advanced Research (CEFIPRA) in sustaining long-term scientific collaboration and fostering research
partnerships across institutions.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further deepen India-France cooperation in science,
technology and space, leveraging innovation, research capabilities and growing industry participation for
mutual and global benefit.*****
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