India and France have committed to enhancing collaboration in science, ocean research, and space during a ministerial-level meeting. Both countries expressed satisfaction with the ongoing momentum in their partnership, particularly in high-technology fields. The Union MoS for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, and Prof. Philippe Baptiste, France’s Minister for Higher Education, Research, and Space, held discussions via video conference to review the expanding scope of cooperation between the two nations in science, technology, and space.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the significant role of science and space cooperation in strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and France. He highlighted the declaration of 2026 as the Indo-French Year of Innovation as a crucial opportunity to enhance collaboration in emerging areas. India’s space sector has witnessed substantial growth following recent reforms, with nearly 400 space startups and promising projections for the space economy, paving the way for deeper industry partnerships between the two countries.
Prof. Philippe Baptiste recognized India as a key partner in space and research cooperation. He underlined the longstanding collaboration between France and ISRO and expressed interest in further enhancing cooperation in Earth observation, launch systems, and space exploration. Baptiste proposed increased collaboration in sharing ocean-related data through the “Space for Ocean Alliance” and suggested closer ties between CNES and Indian institutions.
Baptiste extended an invitation to India to actively participate in the International Space Summit scheduled for September 2026 in Paris, proposing alignment with India’s Bengaluru space event to facilitate global space discussions. Dr. Singh welcomed the proposed initiatives and expressed India’s willingness to deepen cooperation in ocean research and human spaceflight. He also highlighted India’s strengths in ocean-related partnerships, citing the Deep Ocean Mission and the extensive coastline as key assets.
Dr. Singh mentioned ongoing collaborations, including the development of the NavIC ground station in France and France’s support for India’s Gaganyaan mission. He also noted the strengthening of institutional partnerships between the Department of Science and Technology and leading French organizations, resulting in new initiatives in advanced materials and digital sciences.
