Unveiling New Horizons: India-Sweden Space and Geospatial Partnership – Defence News

The first ever India-Sweden Space and Geospatial Business Summit, coordinated by the Geospatial World Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) and the Sweden-India Business Council (SIBC) took place in Stockholm. This summit served as a pivotal moment, symbolizing the substantial progress in the collaboration between India and Sweden in the dynamic domains of Geospatial and Space Technology.

Complementing this momentous occasion was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries. This MOU embodies a commitment to deepen cooperation, foster knowledge exchange, facilitate delegations and summits, and stimulate increased trade and investments between India and Sweden.

Sanjay Kumar, the CEO of Geospatial World Chamber of Commerce, shed light on the tremendous growth potential of the Indian Geospatial market, which is projected to reach a staggering US$ 5 billion in 2022, with 40% attributed to exports. Recent policy reforms in space, geospatial, and drone sectors have opened up innovative avenues for the Indian Geospatial Industry. Recognizing these opportunities, GWCC has partnered with the Sweden-India Business Council to actively promote and facilitate business opportunities between the Indian and Swedish space and geospatial industry.

As part of this collaborative effort, the first-ever Indian Space and Geospatial Trade Mission embarked on a journey to Stockholm and Kiruna. Their mission: to showcase India’s capabilities, explore potential partnerships, and strengthen business relations. This tangible exchange serves as a testament to the commitment of both nations to foster a thriving ecosystem in space and geospatial technology.

Robin Sukhia, Secretary General and President of the Sweden-India Business Council, expressed admiration for the technological prowess of both countries in the Space and Geospatial landscapes. India, with 140 startups in Space and 250 in Geospatial, stands alongside Sweden, where the ecosystem is steadily growing. He highlighted the impressive achievement of the Swedish Space Corporation, conducting a remarkable 570 sounding rocket launches.

The evolving partnership between India and Sweden in space technology signifies a significant step towards global space tech leadership. Rooted in a shared commitment to innovation and technology exchange, this collaboration is just the beginning of what these nations can contribute to the global space market.

Sanjay Nekkanti, Co-Founder and CEO of Dhruva Space, offered insights into their strategic expansion plans, including the establishment of a ground station in Sweden. This initiative, designed to collaborate with local Swedish industry partners, represents a visionary approach to creating a robust infrastructure for space technology. It aims to enhance capabilities in satellite communication and geospatial intelligence. Nekkanti, who studied the Space Program at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, expressed pride in being part of this transformative journey and the shared vision for the future.

The growing ties between India and Sweden in space and geospatial technology present a compelling narrative of collaborative innovation and shared progress. Both nations, with their unique strengths, are poised to contribute significantly to the global landscape of space exploration and technology.