Indian astronauts' footprints will be on the moon; Mars, Venus is also on the radar: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the 2025 Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) through a video conference in New Delhi. File | Image source: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) that India's confidence in the field of space exploration and its astronauts' footprints will advance on the moon.

He stressed that Mars and Venus are also highlighted in the radar of the global exploration mission, in pre-recorded information from the Global Conference on Space Exploration (GLEX) 2025.

Prime Minister Modi said that for India, space is about exploration and authorization and listed plans to establish the Bharatiya Antariksha station by 2035 and land on the moon in 2040.

“India's space journey is not about competing with others. It is about reaching a higher place together. We share a common goal and can explore spaces for human interests.”

He said India has launched a satellite for South Asian countries, and the G20 satellite announced during its collective domination will be a gift to the global south.

“Our first human flight mission, Gaganyaan, emphasizes the aspirations of our country,” Prime Minister Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that in the coming weeks, Indian astronauts will travel to the International Space Station as part of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)-Nasa-Nasa mission.

The Axiom-4 mission is scheduled to be launched on May 29, with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others going to the orbital laboratory for a 14-day stay. GLEX 2025 is organized by the International Astronautics Federation and ISRO.

“Space is not only a destination. It is a statement of curiosity, courage and collective progress. India's space journey reflects that spirit,” Modi said.

“Bharatiya Antariksha Station will open up new borders in research and global cooperation by 2035. By 2040, India's footprint will be on the moon. Mars and Venus are also on our radar,” he said.

He recalls that India's space journey began with a small rocket in 1963, becoming the first country to land near the South Pole of the Moon.

“Our journey was excellent. Our rockets carried more payloads. They brought the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. India's achievements are important scientific milestones. Beyond that, they prove that the human spirit can go against gravity.”

He said India made history by first trying to reach Mars in 2014, Chandrayaan-1 helped discover water on the moon, Chandrayaan-2 provided the world with the highest resolution images of the moon, and Chandrayaan-3 enhanced the understanding of the moon's south pole.

“We built the cryogenic engine in a record time. We launched 100 satellites in one mission. We have launched more than 400 satellites on the launch vehicle, launching satellites for 34 countries. This year, we docked two satellites in space, which is an important step forward for PM Modi,” said PM Modi.