India Space Congress in June to discuss emerging trends, technology
Nearly 1,000 policymakers and experts from more than 30 nations will gather in Delhi in June for the three-day India Space Congress to deliberate on the new opportunities in the country's space sector.India's space sector regulator Pawan Kumar Goenka and industry leaders will deliberate on issues such as satellite communications, geospatial applications, deep-space exploration, emerging technologies, Earth observation and strategic trade corridors.advertisementThe fourth India Space Congress, organised by the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India), will be held in the national capital from June 25-27 under the theme "Pioneering Innovations in Space Technology: India's Journey Towards Global Partnership".
"Country sessions will also bring delegations from Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, and the Middle East, highlighting opportunities for bilateral cooperation in capacity-building, joint missions and industrial co-development," SIA-India said in a statement.With more than 35 focused thematic sessions, the India Space Congress will cover crucial domains such as satellite communications, geospatial applications, deep-space exploration, emerging technologies, Earth observation and strategic trade corridors.Discussions will spotlight advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, quantum communication, hyperspectral imaging and space-based biomanufacturing, as well as evolving challenges in orbital debris mitigation, security and global regulatory alignment.Besides Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) chairman Goenka, other speakers include M Ravichandran, Union Ministry of Earth Sciences secretary; Abhay Karandikar, Department of Science and Technology secretary; National Institute of Advanced Studies director Shailesh Nayak; Kai-Uwe Schrogl, International Institute of Space Law president; and SIA-India president Subba Rao Pavuluri.Isro's former scientific secretary VS Hegde; and senior retired defence leaders Lt Gen VG Khandare, principal advisor in the defence ministry; and Lt Gen (Dr) PJS Pannu will also take part.Must Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Because matter became public?': Priyank Kharge gets Centre's nod for US visit; he responds with 'U-turn' jibe
NEW DELHI: Karnataka minister Priyanka Kharge on Saturday said the Union government has taken a "U-turn" and granted him permission for an official visit to the United States. Kharge also highlighted that the ministry of external affairs (MEA) revoked its earlier decision and gave him an NOC on Thursday, after his press conference that day on the issue. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "So in a U-turn, the Ministry of External Affairs has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me a clearance for an official visit to the United States," the Karnataka IT minister wrote on X. The Congress leader, who is the son of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, stated that he had applied for the June 14-27 tour on May 15, and alleged that he was denied permission without any official explanation. The timing of the NOC, he added, raised "serious questions" - why was the clearance denied in the first place, was the earlier order revoked only because the matter was made public, why should he travel to the US when key events pertaining to his programmes are already over or nearing completion, and would the MEA now not explain its earlier denial because it has now granted permission for the visit. "While the Centre gives us slogans like 'Make in India,' 'Digital India', 'National Quantum Mission' and 'India AI Mission,' the real work to realise these aspirations is happening here in Karnataka. They coin the vision, but when we do the work to bring investments, create jobs and position India as a global leader - they block us," Kharge said. These questions, he added, warrant an "urgent response" as Karnataka "deserves answers."
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
FTA impact: India sees export uptick in trade with Australia, UAE
New Delhi: In a move that reflects India's policy emphasis on boosting exports through free trade agreements (FTAs), the country's trade pacts with Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are beginning to deliver visible outcomes. A sharp rise in the issuance of Preferential Certificates of Origin (CoO) to Indian exporters during FY25 signals growing utilisation of tariff concessions under the free trade pacts. A Preferential Certificate of Origin is a paper that shows where a product was made, so that it can get lower taxes when shipped to another country under a trade deal. According to a commerce ministry report reviewed by Mint, preferential Certificates of Origin (CoOs) issued under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) rose to 77,234 in FY25, marking a 19.1% increase from 64,864 in FY24. The momentum continued into the first two months of FY26, with April and May 2025 registering year-on-year growth rates of 13.3% and 7.4%, respectively. For Australia, 5,643 CoOs were issued in April 2024, rising to 6,395 in April 2025. Similarly, 6,125 CoOs were issued in May 2024, which rose to 6,580 in May 2025. These certificates, which allow exporters to access lower or zero duties in partner countries, saw strong growth under both the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) and the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUCEPA), highlighting deeper integration into partner markets and increasing awareness among exporters. The steady climb reflects a strengthening trade relationship and growing awareness among Indian exporters of the agreement's benefits, particularly in sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, and engineering goods, where tariff concessions are actively utilised. The rise was even more pronounced under the IUCEPA (UAE), where CoO issuances jumped by 24.7%, from 98,104 in FY24 to 122,306 in FY25. In April 2025 alone, 11,825 certificates were issued—35.4% higher than the same month last year. May figures followed suit, with a 28.3% increase over the previous year to 11,507. A senior commerce ministry official attributed the sharp increase to greater clarity on documentation procedures, faster processing timelines, and rising demand from UAE-based buyers for Indian products including food items, machinery, electricals, and chemicals. While addressing a press conference on 16 June, outgoing commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal said that the department is examining the impact of FTAs that have already been signed, especially as several new ones have been concluded in recent years. He noted that there is now a greater thrust on ensuring a higher rate of realisation from these agreements. The broader trend is evident at the national level as well, albeit at a more moderate pace. Across all FTAs, India issued 720,996 preferential Certificates of Origin in FY25, marking a 5.3% increase from 684,724 in FY24. The upward trajectory continued into the first two months of FY26, with total CoOs rising by 12.3% in April—from 61,400 in April 2024 to 68,939 in April 2025—and by 6.7% in May, increasing from 59,198 in May 2024 to 63,177 in May 2025, according to the report. However, the uptick under the pacts with Australia and UAE far outpaced the national average, indicating that these two trade deals are gaining relatively stronger traction among Indian exporters. The numbers mirror developments in bilateral trade. India-UAE trade stood at $84.84 billion in FY24, maintaining the UAE's position as India's third-largest trading partner. Exports to the UAE were valued at $31.61 billion, while imports crossed $53.23 billion. In comparison, India-Australia trade touched $26.4 billion in FY24, with Indian exports growing by over 10% to reach $7.94 billion, while imports stood at $18.49 billion, dominated by coal, minerals, and education-related services. Trade experts believe the trend is likely to strengthen further in the coming quarters, especially as India concludes negotiations on additional FTAs with the UK and the EU. In FY25, exports increased to $8.58 billion while imports stood at $15.53 billion, keeping the total trade at $24.1 billion. Before the signing of the trade deal, in FY23, India's exports to Australia were $6.95 billion and imports were higher at $19.01 billion, pushing the total bilateral trade that year to $25.96 billion. Similarly, India's exports to the UAE stood at $31.61 billion and imports at $53.23 billion in FY23, taking the total bilateral trade to $84.84 billion. After the signing of the trade agreement, exports rose to $35.63 billion and imports moderated to $48.03 billion in FY24, resulting in bilateral trade of $83.66 billion. In FY25, trade volumes expanded further, with exports increasing to $36.64 billion and imports surging to $63.42 billion, pushing the total bilateral trade to $100.06 billion. India currently has 13 major operational trade agreements, including FTAs, CECAs, and CEPAs, with partners such as Asean, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand. In South Asia, it has trade pacts with Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, and beyond the region, with Mauritius, the UAE, and Australia.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Iran-Israel war: Exporters push for urgent shift to Chabahar port as conflict threatens trade routes - Here's what you need to know
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. Amid the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, Indian exporters have suggested shifting cargo operations from Iran's Bandar Abbas port to the India-managed Chabahar port , citing fears of a wider regional disruption that could severely impact trade with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Russia. According to the news agency PTI, the recommendation was made during a high-level meeting convened by the commerce ministry on Friday to assess the fallout of the conflict on India's trade. Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal chaired the meeting, which was attended by representatives from the petroleum, shipping, revenue, and financial services departments, as well as shipping lines and airport authorities. An industry official who attended the meeting was quoted by PTI as saying, 'If Bandar Abbas port doesn't function, it will affect exports not only to Iran but also to Afghanistan and Central Asia. We have been informed that there is adequate capacity at Chabahar, and this needs to be explored urgently.' While Iran's Bandar Abbas port remains operational, exporters flagged that further escalation of hostilities could block key maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles nearly a fifth of the global oil trade. The narrow 21-mile-wide waterway is vital to India, which relies on it for over 80 per cent of its energy imports. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) confirmed it would soon hold consultations with Chabahar port authorities. 'We will enquire about the facilities at the port,' a senior FIEO official said, noting that a final decision would rest with the shipping lines, while DG Shipping would also review the feasibility. Exporters also raised concerns over a sharp rise in freight charges. Air freight rates have already jumped 15 per cent, while ocean freight to Europe and Mediterranean ports has surged by $1,000 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit). The cost of transporting a 20-foot container has also gone up by $500–600. Many buyers have paused orders, and exporters are delaying shipments, fearing that goods may get stranded at ports, leading to heavy demurrage charges. India's exports to Israel have already declined from $4.5 billion in FY24 to $2.1 billion in FY25, and imports have also dipped. Trade with Iran remains flat at $1.4 billion, but exporters worry the ongoing conflict could further damage these fragile trade ties. Basmati rice exports to Iran have reportedly halted, and shipping to the Middle East has become more expensive. If access to the Strait of Hormuz is impacted, India may have to consider alternate routes via Fujairah port in the UAE or ports in Oman. The commerce secretary acknowledged the concerns and assured stakeholders that the feasibility of moving consignments to Chabahar would be examined. He stressed the need to monitor freight and insurance rates closely and explore all possible alternatives as the situation evolves. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
