Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted New Zealand’s contribution to India’s successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, saying the country’s space sector played an important role in the historic lunar landing.
While addressing the Indian community in Auckland, PM Modi recalled the excitement among the Indian diaspora in New Zealand when Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed near the Moon’s South Pole in August 2023.
“When Chandrayaan-3 touched down on the Moon’s South Pole, people across New Zealand celebrated the achievement. It was a proud moment for all of us. But there is another reason for New Zealand to feel proud—its technology also contributed to the mission’s success,” the Prime Minister said.
Chandrayaan-3, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), achieved a historic soft landing on August 23, 2023, making India the fourth nation to successfully land on the Moon and the first country to reach the Moon’s south polar region.
PM Modi said the space sector represents a strong area for collaboration between India and New Zealand, adding that technological partnerships between the two countries have continued to grow.
“New Zealand’s space companies have partnered with us on several occasions, and we are committed to expanding this cooperation in the future,” he said.
The Prime Minister also pointed to the rapid growth of India’s space industry, noting that the country’s space economy is expected to expand from its current value of around $8–9 billion to nearly $40–45 billion over the next decade. He attributed this growth to government reforms, increased private-sector participation, and a thriving innovation ecosystem.
Highlighting India’s progress in science and technology, PM Modi said achievements such as Chandrayaan-3 and the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission have positioned India among the world’s leading space powers.
He added that India has successfully integrated space technology into infrastructure development, project monitoring, and public service delivery, demonstrating how innovation is driving the country’s overall development.
