India has rolled out a bold invitation to Russian companies, urging them to invest in the country’s cutting-edge space ventures and unlock the potential of its massive market, according to Ambassador Vinay Kumar. Speaking at a vibrant event held at the Indian Embassy in Moscow on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, to celebrate the second National Space Day, Kumar highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering a thriving space industry with enticing investment schemes. The occasion marked the historic deployment of the Pragyan Rover on the Moon via the Chandrayaan-3 mission on August 23, 2023, a milestone in India’s space journey.

Kumar reflected on the deep-rooted space collaboration between India and Russia, tracing it back to 1975 when India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched aboard a Soviet rocket. He also celebrated the 1984 voyage of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, aboard the Soyuz T-11, and the ongoing partnership on the ambitious Gaganyaan human space mission. The event drew officials and experts from Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, which continues to collaborate closely with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), signaling a renewed push for joint innovation.

The ambassador emphasized India’s unique perspective, noting that while space is a modern industry globally, it has been integral to Indian life since the Vedic era. “Scholars like Aryabhata studied celestial movements and their influence on humanity,” he said, adding that today, space technology underpins daily necessities like communication and navigation across India. The celebration featured captivating space-themed cultural performances by students from the Embassy-run Kendriya Vidyalaya and members of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, adding a cultural flourish to the diplomatic outreach.

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This strategic move aims to strengthen bilateral ties, leveraging Russia’s technical expertise and India’s growing space market. With the global space industry expanding, this partnership could pave the way for groundbreaking projects, from lunar exploration to commercial satellite launches. As both nations look to the future, the invitation opens doors for Russian firms to play a pivotal role in India’s space ambitions, potentially reshaping the global space economy.

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