Strengthening Indo-French Relations in Space: ISpA and GIFAS Sign Agreement
The Indian Space Conclave 2023 organized by the Indian Space Association (ISpA) began in New Delhi on Monday, focusing on promoting space cooperation between India and France. The event was attended by representatives from both the French and Indian space industries, including executives, startups and government officials.
ISpA, established as the primary representative of the Indian space industry, and GIFAS (Groupement des Industries françaises aéronautiques et spatiales), the French Aerospace Industries Association, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the event to enhance mutual understanding of space. industry capabilities, increase awareness of business opportunities in France and India, and promote sustainable growth and innovation in the space industries of both countries. The MoU also aims to strengthen the existing relationship between India and France in the space sector.
One of the key aspects of this partnership is to facilitate the exchange of academic and training programs between both organizations, covering all levels of education and contributing to the growth of human capital and increasing the skilled workforce in India and France. Research and technology play a key role in cooperation in identifying common interests, promoting joint research and technology programs, and sharing views on space policy.
Cédric Post, Deputy Director of International, European and Commercial Affairs at GIFAS, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration and said: “The Memorandum of Understanding signed with ISpA highlights our shared commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation and promoting innovation, business development and the environment. sound political regulation. Convergence of the public and private sectors is redefining the landscape of the space sector, and India and France are poised to lead this transformation.
He also announced that in 2024, a delegation of French aerospace industry players will visit India in October for another roadshow and networking event.
Indian Space Association Director General, Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd.), emphasized the importance of collaboration and stated, “Collaboration between public and private sector promises to take us to new heights, foster innovation and promote development like never before. On this journey, I must recognize our alliance importance with France as an important partner in our space exploration efforts.
Indo-French space cooperation that began decades ago has reached major milestones as both countries join forces for India’s ambitious human spaceflight initiative, Gaganya, with France contributing expertise in areas such as space medicine and astronaut health. It was said that France’s participation in ISRO’s upcoming Venus mission in 2025 will further strengthen the importance of the partnership in the global space exploration landscape.
At the event, astronaut Thomas Pesquet from the European Space Agency emphasized the central role of space research in responding to global challenges, such as climate change, and emphasized the limitless opportunities that await cooperation and the integration of private industry in the space sector.
Meanwhile, ISRO Chairman S Somanath, who shared his thoughts at the event via video, thanked ISpA for fostering an ecosystem that nurtures space startups and highlighted the transformative potential of the space sector for the betterment of humanity.
He went on to say: “We are also looking to bring more foreign investment into space, and for this, rules on direct investment will be published soon to make this happen. We are also looking at how to create more markets for the space sector, especially by expanding communication networks in different sectors.
“The space sector now has great strategic importance and the understanding that the role of all actors in strengthening the nation’s strategic capabilities becomes important and this also opens the possibility for the expansion of the sector,” he stated.
