Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is all poised to increase its share in the global space industry from existing 3%. Inaugurating the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (INSPACe) headquarters in Ahmedabad, PM Modi termed the launch epoch moment for the Indian space industry as it would be a precursor to many development and opportunities.
"Today a glorious chapter has been added in the development journey of modern India. Many congratulations to all the countrymen, and scientific community for the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center," Modi said addressing the inauguration ceremony.
PM Modi hailed India's space mission and called it the biggest recognition of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. “The global space industry is valued at 400 billion US dollars today. By 2040, it has the potential to become a 1 trillion-dollar industry. India currently has participation in the industry at only 3%. India would have to increase its share, and there’s a big role for the private sector in the same,” said the PM, adding that he also envisions a major role played by India in the fields of space tourism and space diplomacy.
IN-SPACe is envisaged as a single contact point for the private players. A total of 10 MoUs were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and ISRO chairman S Somanath.
Development works
Taking a swipe at the Congress, PM Modi said in Navsari that those who were in power for the longest time since Independence never gave priority to the development of tribal and far-flung areas as it required hard work. Launching projects worth £305 million for tribal districts of south Gujarat in Khudvel village of Navsari, Modi categorically rejected the narrative that development projects are launched only with an eye on votes ahead of elections and said welfare of poor has been the sole priority of his government for the last eight years.
“I have been in public life for over two decades. I challenge them to dig out a single week when I did not launch a developmental project,” he said.
