India’s Focus on Indigenous Aerospace and Scientific Cooperation

India is progressing in developing its own aerospace and scientific capabilities. Notably, the CSIR-NAL Bengaluru is in the process of creating the Electric Hansa (E-Hansa), a two-seater electric trainer aircraft that is expected to cost around Rs two crore, roughly half the price of comparable imported models. This initiative is part of the HANSA-3 (NG) programme, supporting India's aim for sustainable and cost-effective pilot training.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said “Private players should not just be knowledge partners, but also investment partners,” advocating a hub-and-spoke PPP model supported by AI-driven tech/IP exchange platforms and regional NTTOs to ensure wider sectoral and geographic outreach.

The meeting also praised the successful SPADEX mission, which enhances India’s spaceflight capabilities, and recognised ISRO’s vital role in Operation Sindoor and ongoing collaborations with numerous ministries and states. Singh underlined the importance of a unified approach across science and government sectors, advocating regional “Chintan Shivirs” to foster integrated planning.

Further initiatives include establishing a "Global Science Talent Bridge" to attract top international researchers, and expanding India’s space science profile through upcoming missions like microgravity experiments on the ISS.

The government continues to promote bilateral science collaborations and regional scientific planning, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision. Senior officials and experts from key scientific agencies participated in this strategic review.