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India, Russia vow to work together for peaceful use of outer space

The first generation of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) used Russian cryogenic engines before the technology could be developed indigenously.

2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Dec 6, 2025 03:34 AM IST

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo the talks at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. ( Photo: AP)

INDIA AND Russia on Friday agreed to work together on programmes for peaceful use of outer space, including human spaceflight programmes, satellite navigation and planetary exploration. The two countries decided to join hands to develop and produce rocket engines and work towards long-term sustainability of space.

In a joint statement, they stressed the “urgent need” to start negotiations on a legally binding instrument for preventing arms race in space. This instrument will prohibit the placement of weapons in outer space. “The Sides note that the basis for such a document could be the draft of the Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects as well as the report of the relevant Group of Governmental Experts, adopted in 2024,” the joint statement said.

The Indian and Russian space programmes have been close allies for years, with the Indian astronaut designates also receiving their generic spaceflight training in Russia. In addition to that, Russia has also provided assistance and materials for various other crucial systems for the Gaganyaan programme such as life support system, crew seats and flight suits.

When it comes to launch vehicles, Russia has been crucial to India developing its heavier cryogenic engine-based launch vehicles. The first generation of India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) used Russian cryogenic engines before the technology could be developed indigenously.

India and Russia also cooperated on key missions such as Chandrayaan-2 for which Russia was initially supposed to develop the lander and the rover. It withdrew only after its own mission to return samples from the Martian moon Phobos failed. The lander and rover were then indigenously developed.

The collaboration on human spaceflight and extra-planetary exploration is also timely, considering India plans to set up its own space station by 2035 and send humans to the Moon by 2040. India is also planning its first mission to Venus.

Sustainability of outer space has also become a priority area for ISRO with the recent mission carrying enough fuel for a de-orbiting manoeuvre and other missions that have reached their end of life being brought down.

Anonna Dutt

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

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