By R Anil Kumar
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BSX 2026 turned Bengaluru into a diplomatic and commercial space hub, with Italy as partner country and India’s industry pitching partnerships across satellites, launch systems and orbital sustainability worldwide
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Partnering for the expo, Italy brought key expertise across satellite platforms, synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), optical observation and orbital sustainability, aiming to establish direct joint ventures and research projects under the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership
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Australia’s participation offered a different but equally significant model. Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green said the two countries’ space industries were complementary, arguing that each possessed capabilities the other needed
Bengaluru, Sep 11. Bengaluru Space Expo 2026 placed India’s rapidly expanding private space sector at the centre of a broad international conversation, bringing together governments, space agencies, manufacturers, startups, investors and research institutions.
The event’s central message was clear: India’s space ambitions are moving beyond launch capability and government-led missions towards a commercially driven ecosystem built on international partnerships, private innovation and shared technology development.
Italy’s presence as the partner country gave the expo a strong diplomatic and industrial focus. Italian Ambassador to India Antonio Bartoli described India as a key space partner for Italy and presented the relationship as part of a wider strategic partnership between the two countries.
Italy arrived in Bengaluru with expertise spanning satellites, radar, synthetic-aperture radar, optical observation, space infrastructure, scientific research and orbital sustainability. Its delegation included companies and organisations associated with areas such as Earth observation, satellite systems, space technology and advanced industrial manufacturing.
Bartoli’s message was that Italy did not view BSX 2026 simply as an exhibition or a platform to display national capabilities. Instead, Italy sought to use its partner-country status to identify practical opportunities for joint projects, investments, research collaboration and market access.
The Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX) 2026 underscored a major evolution in India’s space strategy, pivoting from government-led missions to a commercial ecosystem powered by international co-development, private innovation and shared technology
The two countries are exploring cooperation under the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership and the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029. Space is emerging as an important component of that relationship, alongside defence, advanced manufacturing, science and technology.
Italian participation also reflected the complementary nature of the two industries. India brings scale, engineering talent, cost efficiency, launch experience and a growing startup base. Italy contributes expertise in high-end space systems, Earth observation, radar, optical instruments, satellite manufacturing and specialised industrial technologies.
The objective, according to the Italian side, is to move from a buyer-seller relationship towards co-development. Jointly built technologies could serve Indian and Italian users as well as wider international markets. Italian small and medium-sized enterprises and startups are also looking for stronger links with Indian companies, universities and public institutions.
PM Modi meets Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, discusses AI, space and strategic cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in June rhis year met Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Italy partnership across sectors including trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, clean energy and culture.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Met President Sergio Mattarella in Rome. We discussed different aspects relating to the India-Italy friendship, including trade, investment and cultural linkages. We talked about how our nations can collaborate in areas such as AI, critical minerals, space and nuclear energy.”
Sharing details of the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “PM Narendra Modi called on President Sergio Mattarella of the Italian Republic. The two leaders reaffirmed the strong and enduring India-Italy partnership and held discussions in areas including trade, technology, innovation, clean energy, AI and culture.”
Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029
India and Italy elevated their space cooperation under the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan announced on 18 November 2024 during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The two countries agreed to expand collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in Earth observation, heliophysics, and space exploration, with a particular focus on lunar science. Both sides also committed to advancing research and development for the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space while promoting greater commercial cooperation involving industries, MSMEs, and startups.
The United States added another layer to the partnership discussion. US Ambassador Sergio Gor told the gathering that India-US space relations were moving from cooperation towards co-creation.
The distinction is important. Cooperation generally involves working together on defined projects, while co-creation suggests joint design, shared intellectual property, integrated supply chains and commercial products developed by companies and institutions in both countries.
Gor’s remarks underlined the expanding scope of India-US engagement in space. The relationship now extends beyond traditional government programmes to include commercial Earth observation, satellite communications, space science, human spaceflight, launch services and advanced technologies.
For Indian startups, closer cooperation with the United States could provide access to global customers, research networks, venture capital and advanced manufacturing partnerships. It could also help Indian companies integrate their technologies into international missions and supply chains.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor emphasised that US-India space relations are entering a co-creation phase, opening pathways for Indian startups to integrate into global supply chains, joint IP ventures, commercial satellite networks and deep-space missions.
Australia’s participation offered a different but equally significant model. Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green said the two countries’ space industries were complementary, arguing that each possessed capabilities the other needed.
Green highlighted Australia’s geographic position, including its access to equatorial and polar launch profiles and its location in the eastern Indian Ocean. Australia already supports the tracking of Indian spacecraft and has a role in activities connected with maritime and space operations.
He also pointed to Australian expertise in operating across vast distances with limited populations. Technologies developed for remote mining, autonomous vehicles, remote operations and communications can have direct relevance to space missions, Earth observation and lunar exploration.
Green said Australian and Indian governments were increasingly aligned on space and critical technologies. He cited the two countries’ growing strategic relationship, including cooperation through the Quad and the Partnership for Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains.
The Australian presence at BSX 2026, included companies from Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Many are relatively young firms, making them natural partners for India’s emerging private space industry. Green said Australia’s space sector was growing rapidly and that government support was helping attract additional private investment.
INDIA AND THE GLOBAL SPACE ODYSSEY
ISRO & NASA
India’s growing reputation in space is reflected in its collaboration with leading global space agencies. A major example is the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, jointly developed by ISRO and NASA and launched on 30 July 2025 aboard GSLV-F16 from Sriharikota. NISAR will monitor changes in land, glaciers, forests, and oceans, helping scientists better understand climate change, natural disasters, and environmental challenges. The mission combines the expertise of two of the world’s leading space agencies and demonstrates India’s ability to undertake complex international projects.
India-Russia Partnership: Supporting India’s Human Spaceflight Ambitions
India’s human spaceflight programme has benefited from a long-standing partnership with Russia. Building on decades of space cooperation, ISRO and ROSCOSMOS signed an MoU in 2018 to support the Gaganyaan mission. Russia has provided astronaut training, technical expertise, and support in critical areas such as life-support systems, crew safety, and human spaceflight technologies. This collaboration has strengthened India’s preparedness for its first indigenous crewed mission and reflects growing international confidence in India’s expanding space ambitions.
ISRO and the French space agency CNES
India’s expanding global partnerships are also reflected in the TRISHNA (Thermal InfraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment) mission, being jointly developed by ISRO and the French space agency CNES. Scheduled for launch in 2026, TRISHNA will provide high-resolution thermal imaging of Earth’s land and coastal regions with a revisit frequency unmatched by existing missions. The satellite will help monitor crop water stress, irrigation needs, water resources, urban ecosystems, glaciers, and climate-related changes. Combining a thermal infrared instrument from CNES and an optical sensor from ISRO, the mission demonstrates India’s growing credibility as a trusted partner in advanced Earth observation and climate science, while supporting sustainable agriculture and environmental management worldwide.
ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
India’s growing credibility in deep-space exploration is further reflected in the Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) mission, a landmark collaboration between ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Scheduled for launch in 2027–28 aboard Japan’s H3 rocket, the mission will combine an Indian-developed lander with a Japanese rover to explore the Moon’s polar region. Building on the success of Chandrayaan-3 and the planned lunar sample return of Chandrayaan-4, LUPEX will search for lunar water and ice deposits, drill beneath the surface, and conduct advanced in-situ scientific investigations. The mission also includes instruments from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), highlighting India’s ability to lead complex multinational scientific collaborations and contribute to the next phase of global lunar exploration.
Partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA)
On 7 May 2025, ESA and ISRO signed a Joint Statement of Intent to work together on future human space missions. The partnership focuses on activities in Low Earth Orbit and, in the future, on Moon exploration. Both agencies will collaborate on technologies that allow spacecraft from different countries to work together, as well as on astronaut training and space research. The agreement also opens opportunities for European astronauts to participate in missions related to India’s planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and for joint scientific missions to the Moon. Building on their cooperation during the Axiom Ax-4 mission, ESA and ISRO are working to make future space missions more connected, efficient, and collaborative. This partnership highlights the growing international trust in India’s space capabilities and its increasing role in shaping the future of human space exploration.
India-Germany Space Cooperation
India has successfully launched 11 German satellites using Indian launch vehicles, highlighting growing international confidence in India’s space capabilities. During a high-level meeting on2 June 2026, India and Germany identified new opportunities for collaboration in satellite communications, optical communications, human spaceflight, microgravity research, Earth observation, drone technologies, and future space exploration missions. The discussions built upon the long-standing partnership between ISRO and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and focused on advancing joint research, innovation, and technology development in emerging space domains.
ISRO and the Saudi Space Agency
India and Saudi Arabia elevated their space cooperation on 23 April 2025 through an MoU between ISRO and the Saudi Space Agency. The agreement promotes collaboration in satellite development, space science, exploration, research, innovation, and capacity building. It also encourages entrepreneurship and academic engagement in space technologies, reflecting a shared commitment to peaceful and developmental uses of outer space.
ISRO and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council
India’s long-standing space partnership with Mauritius entered a new phase on 1 November 2023. ISRO and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) signed an MoU to jointly develop a small satellite, with the Union Cabinet taking note on 5 January 2024. The project strengthens satellite development capabilities, supports the use of Mauritius’ ground station, and reinforces a partnership dating back to 1986. The satellite is expected to be realised within 15 months at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore, funded by the Government of India.
Regional Partnerships in Space Sector with Bhutan
India’s space cooperation has strengthened regional partnerships, particularly with Bhutan. On 19 November 2020, India and Bhutan signed an MoU on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, approved by the Union Cabinet on 30 December 2020. The agreement covers Earth observation, satellite communication, satellite navigation, space science, planetary exploration, and developmental applications of space technology. A Joint Working Group was established to implement collaborative projects, supporting governance, resource management, communication, and scientific research through space-based solutions.
Indian officials used the expo to stress that international partnerships must be supported by a strong domestic ecosystem. Pawan Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre, or IN-SPACe, highlighted the organisation’s role in enabling private participation in space activities.
Goenka further said that IN-SPACe is expected to remain central to the development of India’s commercial space sector by facilitating authorisations, connecting private companies with public infrastructure and encouraging collaboration between startups, industry and government agencies.
V Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) emphasised the continuing importance of national space capabilities. ISRO remains critical to India’s launch programmes, space science missions, satellite development, testing facilities and technical expertise. The growing private sector is expected to complement ISRO rather than replace it, allowing the agency to focus on advanced and strategic missions while companies develop commercial products.
Indian space agencies reaffirmed their unified approach: IN-SPACe lowers barriers for startups, NSIL bridges public research with international markets, and ISRO focuses on advanced scientific frontiers while private enterprises scale commercial manufacturing.
NewSpace India Limited also featured prominently in discussions about India’s transition from a launchpad to a marketplace. NSIL is responsible for commercialising ISRO’s technologies, launch services and satellite capabilities. Its work is helping connect public-sector research and infrastructure with customers, manufacturers and service providers.
That bridge is becoming increasingly important as India’s private space sector expands. Startups are developing launch vehicles, satellite platforms, Earth-observation systems, propulsion technologies, communication terminals, debris-monitoring systems and data-analytics services.
Industry associations at BSX 2026 called for deeper coordination across this ecosystem. They highlighted the need for predictable regulations, financing, export support, access to testing facilities, insurance mechanisms, skilled talent and government procurement.
The participation of Indian companies demonstrated the breadth of the sector. Skyroot Aerospace, represented by co-founder Pawan Kumar Chandana, showcased the ambitions of a startup seeking to build rockets and develop a long-term launch business from India.
The company’s journey reflects the larger transformation of India’s space industry, where private firms are now pursuing end-to-end capabilities rather than isolated components.
Samtel Avionics also announced collaboration with South Korea’s BULL Co Ltd on space-debris mitigation solutions. The initiative highlighted a growing concern for orbital sustainability as the number of satellites and commercial missions increases. Technologies that help track, avoid, manage or remove space debris will become increasingly important for safe and reliable access to orbit.
Other Indian companies at the expo presented products and services in satellite manufacturing, propulsion, ground systems, Earth observation, communications and space data. Their presence reinforced the message that India’s space economy is becoming more diverse, competitive and commercially oriented.
Highlighting domestic commercial capabilities, Skyroot Aerospace showcased its end-to-end launch systems, while Samtel Avionics announced a joint initiative with South Korea’s BULL Co Ltd to tackle growing space-debris mitigation challenges
The diplomatic addresses at BSX 2026 therefore had a practical purpose. The US Ambassador’s call for co-creation, the Australian High Commissioner’s emphasis on complementary strengths and the Italian Ambassador’s focus on joint industrial opportunities all pointed towards the same outcome: partnerships that produce technology, investment and market access.
For Italy, the partner-country role provided a platform to deepen a strategic relationship with India. For the United States, it demonstrated the expansion of cooperation into commercial and advanced technologies. For Australia, it opened opportunities for companies with niche capabilities to work with India at scale.
For India, BSX 2026 was an opportunity to present itself not merely as a low-cost launch provider, but as a complete space ecosystem with manufacturers, startups, research institutions, regulators and commercial operators.
The next test will be whether the discussions translate into contracts, joint ventures, technology transfers, research programmes and repeat business. If they do, Bengaluru Space Expo 2026 could mark an important point in India’s transition from participating in the global space economy to helping shape it.
