'BRICS Space Economy' next frontier of global growth: Minister
New Delhi, June 24
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday pitched for "BRICS Space Economy" as the next frontier of global growth and called for collective action among member nations to unlock new opportunities in innovation, investment, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
Addressing the BRICS Heads of Space Agencies (HOSA) meeting in Bengaluru, Dr Singh said BRICS countries possess the scale, scientific capabilities, technological strengths and industrial capacity required to emerge as a major force in the rapidly expanding global space economy.
"The future of the space economy will not be shaped by nations working in isolation. It will be shaped by partnerships, shared innovation and collective ambition. BRICS countries have the potential to become one of the strongest pillars of this emerging global space ecosystem," he told the gathering.
The minister reaffirmed India's commitment to working closely with all BRICS partners to transform shared aspirations into concrete outcomes and to ensure that space continues to serve as a powerful force for development, resilience, innovation, sustainability and international cooperation.
Hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, the two-day meeting brought together Heads of Space Agencies and senior officials from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
It reviewed progress in BRICS space cooperation and deliberated on key issues including space sustainability, debris-free missions, strengthening the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation (RSSC), expanding participation of new BRICS members in existing cooperation mechanisms, and advancing discussions on the proposed BRICS Space Council.
Dr Singh said that space technology has emerged as one of the most powerful drivers of economic transformation and societal progress, enabling countries to strengthen communication networks, navigation systems, disaster preparedness, agriculture, healthcare, education and environmental monitoring.
Referring to the growing role of BRICS in the global space landscape, the minister said the grouping represents a significant share of the world's population, economic output, scientific expertise and technological capabilities.
He said deeper cooperation among BRICS countries can create new opportunities for innovation, industrial partnerships, technology transfer, investment and economic growth while addressing common developmental priorities.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who follows space news from the US, I find this interesting. The BRICS space economy could become a real competitor to Western space initiatives. But I wonder about the practical challenges - different regulatory frameworks, technology transfer issues, and the political tensions between some members (like India and China). Still, the concept of shared satellite data for agriculture and environmental monitoring is very practical and valuable.
Great initiative but I have one concern - the elephant in the room is China's growing space dominance and their known technology theft practices. How can we ensure that India's hard-earned intellectual property in space tech is protected while collaborating under BRICS? Also, the proposed BRICS Space Council should have clear IPR guidelines. Otherwise, this could become a one-way street. India should lead with caution.
Yaar, finally some good news for space sector! As a student of aerospace engineering, this makes me super excited. BRICS space economy means more research collaborations, more funding for space startups, and possibly more jobs for young engineers in India. The fact that ISRO is hosting this meeting under India's chairship shows our growing leadership in global space affairs. Imagine the possibilities - joint missions to study climate change, shared satellite data for farmers, and maybe even a BRICS space station in future! 🛰️✨
Honestly, this feels like a pipe dream. BRICS countries have vastly different space capabilities and priorities. Brazil is struggling with its own space program, Russia's space sector is declining, and China will dominate everything. Meanwhile, India should focus on its own Gaganyaan mission and private space sector growth. We don't need another bureaucratic layer like the 'BRICS Space Council' - it'll just slow things down with endless meetings. Let's be practical and focus on bilateral partnerships instead.
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