India's space sector is showing significant growth due to recent reforms. Private investments in this area have surpassed $618.5 million, and 105 permits have been issued to private entities. Simultaneously, the regulatory framework for protecting strategic and national interests is strengthening while stimulating broader private sector participation.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Space, Jitendra Singh, informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Responding to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha, Singh noted that cumulative private funding has increased nearly sixfold in recent years. It grew from $100.5 million in 2021-22 to $348.5 million in 2023-24, and is projected to reach $618.5 million by March 31, 2026. This growth reflects increasing confidence from both domestic and global investors in India's rapidly evolving space ecosystem.
Singh told the Rajya Sabha that IN-SPACe has currently authorized 17 space startups to conduct space activities. This indicates the emergence of a dynamic startup ecosystem that is increasingly contributing to achieving India's space goals. The number of active space startups has grown from one company in 2014 to over 400 today, with private investments exceeding $600 million.
Indian private companies have successfully demonstrated launch and orbital deployment capabilities, placing over 30 satellites into orbit and sending approximately 45 payloads via platforms such as POEM (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module). This points to the growing technological depth and commercial maturity of the country's private space sector. Furthermore, public-private partnership in Earth observation has brought together leading Indian companies to develop the country's first private constellation of Earth observation satellites, accompanied by private investments of around 1200 crore rupees.
Emphasizing the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring that rapid commercial growth aligns with robust national security measures, the minister informed the House that every application for private space activity is evaluated according to IN-SPACe norms, guidelines, and procedures. Special attention is given to strategic, defense, and national interests before issuing a permit. He also added that IN-SPACe is preparing specific safety and security guidelines for space activities in India in consultation with stakeholders to further strengthen the country's regulatory structure as private participation expands.
US President Donald Trump introduced a new round of tariffs on Thursday, July 23. This step was taken after the previous tariffs imposed by the Trump administration were set to expire on Friday, July 24.
A representative of U.S. Trade Policy stated that the Washington administration aims to reach certain agreements regarding the trade deal between the United States, Mexico, and Canada before the end of the current year.
The comments by Jamieson Greer were made during hearings of the Senate Finance Committee. These statements came after President Trump's decision to suspend the North American trade pact, as well as after the U.S. imposed new fifty percent tariffs against Canada.
China intends to establish an international union to counter fraud in the telecommunications sector and online scams. The founding ceremony of this alliance is planned to take place in September at the Global Forum on Public Security Cooperation Conference in 2026.
The Ministry of Public Security of China announced at a press conference on Friday that it will host the founding ceremony of this union during a conference to be held in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, located in eastern China.
According to Jiang Guoli, head of the ministry's Criminal Investigation Bureau, this alliance will be an intergovernmental organization that will attract broad participation from law enforcement agencies worldwide. The main task of the organization is the effective fight against cross-border fraud in telecommunications and online scams.
Jiang stated that more than forty countries have already expressed their willingness to join this alliance. He emphasized that China welcomes the participation of all countries, proposing to strengthen intelligence sharing, increase the effectiveness of joint operations, activate coordinated control measures, and work together on the global fight against fraud.
Jiang noted that telecommunications fraud and online scams have become a global problem and a serious challenge for public administration. The Chinese police have made combating and preventing such crimes a priority for the next five years, noting that the vast majority of fraudulent operations are currently based outside of China. In addition to existing law enforcement mechanisms, the Chinese police will increase efforts to prevent these crimes through the created alliance.
