Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the crucial role played by New Zealand’s space sector in India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission during an address to the diaspora in Auckland. He mentioned the enthusiastic celebrations within the Kiwi-Indian community following the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s South Pole. PM Modi emphasized that New Zealand’s technology had significantly contributed to the mission’s success.
Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Chandrayaan-3 safely landed near the Moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023, making India the fourth country to achieve a successful moon landing and the first to reach the southern polar region. PM Modi underscored the potential for mutual economic growth between India and New Zealand through collaboration in the space sector.
Highlighting the collaborative efforts between India and New Zealand in the space domain, PM Modi mentioned that New Zealand’s space company had engaged in various joint projects with India. He expressed the intention to further enhance this cooperation for mutual benefit. India’s space economy is projected to expand from $8-9 billion to $40-45 billion in the next decade, driven by policy reforms, increased private sector involvement, and a growing innovation ecosystem.
India’s advancements in space missions like Chandrayaan-3 and the upcoming Gaganyaan program have positioned the country as a prominent player in space exploration globally. The integration of space-based technologies into infrastructure planning, project monitoring, and public service delivery reflects India’s significant progress in leveraging space capabilities for societal development.
