Indian space programme rooted in international cooperation rather than competition: ISRO chief

ISRO's chief emphasizes India's space program focuses on global cooperation, human-centric goals, and future ambitious missions.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan on Tuesday (February 10, 2026) said that India's space programme was conceived as a people-centric and application-driven initiative, rooted in international cooperation rather than competition.

Highlighting six decades of the country's space journey, Mr. Narayanan said the programme had evolved from modest beginnings into a globally respected ecosystem that serves not just India but the international community, with collaboration as its core philosophy.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the U.S.-India Space Business Forum, the ISRO chief noted the contribution of USA in India's space programme.

Space-related activity in India started in 1962, 15 years after the independence and the first rocket India launched was made in the U.S. and supplied by NASA.

Mr. Narayanan underlined that the Indian space mission is mainly for the benefit of people.

"The Indian space programme was started not to compete with anybody but to bring advanced space technology for the benefit of the common man of India," Mr. Narayanan, Secretary, Department of Space, said.