On November 6, 2023, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh met with H.E. Mr. Christian Biever, the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in New Delhi to discuss strengthening ties in science, technology, and space exploration. Senior officials from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), the Department of Space (DoS), and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) attended. Discussions focused on joint initiatives in sectors like cyber security, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence.
A key focus was promoting Indian space start-ups in Luxembourg to connect India's space ecosystem with Europe's space economy. Dr. Singh emphasized India's start-up sector and suggested Luxembourg serve as a gateway for Indian firms to access European markets and R&D ventures.
The meeting highlighted the long-standing India-Luxembourg diplomatic ties dating back to 1948 and the virtual summit between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Xavier Bettel in November 2020. India's rise as a global leader in science and innovation, ranking among the top three in scientific publications and start-up activity, was emphasized. The Chandrayaan-3 mission positioned India as a space manufacturing and research hub. India and Luxembourg already share an active partnership in the space sector, following the 2022 memorandum of understanding on the peaceful use of outer space. Two Luxembourg satellites have been launched on India's PSLV rocket, and ISRO participated in the Luxembourg Space Agency's "Space Resources Week 2024." Discussions focused on joint research and industrial linkages in areas of mutual interest.
Key Entities Referenced
Luxembourg: A European country engaged in bilateral discussions with India to strengthen ties in space and science, promoting Indian space start-ups in European markets.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): India's national space agency, participating in the Luxembourg Space Agency's "Space Resources Week 2024", reflecting growing collaboration.
Department of Space (DoS): An Indian government department involved in advancing joint initiatives with Luxembourg in innovation-driven sectors.
Department of Science & Technology (DST): An Indian government department involved in advancing joint initiatives with Luxembourg in innovation-driven sectors.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Luxembourg Ambassador Meets Dr. Jitendra
Singh, discusses Strengthening Ties in Space
and Science Collaboration
India, Luxembourg Explore Avenues to Promote Indian
Space Start-ups in European Markets
Dr. Jitendra Singh Highlights India’s Rise as Global Hub for
Science, Innovation and Start-ups
Posted On: 06 NOV 2025 7:08PM by PIB Delhi
India and Luxembourg are set to deepen cooperation in science, technology, and space exploration as
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh met the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, H.E. Mr.
Christian Biever, in New Delhi today. The meeting, attended by senior officials from the Department
of Science & Technology (DST), the Department of Space (DoS), and the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO), focused on advancing joint initiatives in innovation-driven sectors such as
cyber security, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence etc.
A key focus of the discussions was the promotion of Indian space start-ups in Luxembourg, aimed at
connecting India’s rapidly growing private space ecosystem with Europe’s advanced space economy.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India’s vibrant start-up sector, backed by government initiatives
and ISRO’s industry-friendly policies, offers immense potential for global collaboration. He
suggested that Luxembourg, known for its strong space finance and innovation ecosystem, could
serve as a gateway for Indian space start-ups to access European markets, joint R&D ventures, and
investment opportunities, thereby fostering a mutually beneficial partnership in the evolving global
space landscape.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the long-standing diplomatic ties between India and Luxembourg,
which date back to 1948, and recalled the landmark virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel in November 2020. That summit, he noted, laid
the foundation for regular bilateral consultations, and opened new avenues for scientific and
technological collaboration.
The Minister underscored India’s emergence as a global leader in science and innovation, with the
country ranking among the top three in scientific publications and startup activity worldwide. He said
that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has launched several national missions incritical areas including renewable energy, cyber-physical systems, quantum technologies, blue
economy, and affordable healthcare.
Referring to India’s success in space exploration, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that the Chandrayaan-3
mission — which made India the first nation to land near the Moon’s south pole in August 2023 —
has positioned the country as a vibrant hub for space manufacturing and research. He observed that
India and Luxembourg already share an active partnership in the space sector, following the 2022
memorandum of understanding on the peaceful use of outer space. Two Luxembourg satellites have
since been launched on India’s PSLV rocket, and ISRO participated in the Luxembourg Space
Agency’s “Space Resources Week 2024,” reflecting growing collaboration.
The discussions focused on designing innovative programs to boost joint research and industrial
linkages in areas of mutual interest. Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening ties in
emerging technologies, energy solutions, and space innovation, building on their complementary
strengths.
Concluding the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed hope that the deliberations would give fresh
impetus to Indo-Luxembourg cooperation in space and science, in keeping with the shared vision of
Prime Minister Modi and Luxembourg’s leadership to use technology as a force for sustainable global
development.*****
NKR/AK
(Release ID: 2187087) Visitor Counter : 156
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Marathi