Swedish space delegation bets on industry meet to propel ties with India

Bengaluru: Sweden is looking to strengthen its collaboration with India in the rapidly evolving space sector by leveraging its innovation-driven ecosystem. After a significant meeting between Swedish and Indian space officials in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Håkan Jevrell, Sweden’s State Secretary for Foreign Trade, expressed optimism about future partnerships between the two nations.

Speaking after the first-ever Sweden-India Space Industry Day, held at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Jevrell said the event could serve as a springboard for enhanced cooperation. “Many dots get reconnected during such meetings,” Jevrell stated, noting that space collaboration between the two nations dates back to 1986. This is when India and Sweden signed their initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the space sector.

A New Phase in Space Partnerships

Jevrell emphasized that the current moment is ripe for reasserting ties between India and Sweden, especially considering India’s recent strides in space exploration. India’s historic achievements, such as the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission and its ongoing space policy reforms, have opened up new opportunities for both public and private sector involvement.

“India has had a very impressive last decade,” Jevrell remarked, citing the nation’s recent accomplishments as a clear indication of the government’s focus on space. He also noted the importance of involving private companies, where much of the innovation in space technology is emerging.

“Working with the private sector can lead to solutions that might not have been possible otherwise. Sweden has recently opened a spaceport at the Esrange Space Centre, which is the only orbital launch site in mainland Europe. These new collaborations can be timely in many ways,” Jevrell explained.

Swedish Innovation in Space

The Swedish delegation visiting India represents a range of private companies engaged in cutting-edge space technologies. These include firms working on diverse applications, from space robotics missions to rocket engines, small satellites, propulsion systems, and thermal vacuum chambers designed to simulate the harsh conditions of space. The delegation, which also included representatives from the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), brought to the table solutions for both geospatial data analytics and advanced satellite technologies.

Sweden has consistently punched above its weight as a leader in innovation. Jevrell emphasized the country’s geopolitical position, which drives Sweden to seek strong partnerships with countries like India. This cooperation is not just about space technology but also about ensuring that space becomes an enabler across multiple domains, including defence and strategic interests.

Strategic Alliances for the Future

India and Sweden both have strong interests in establishing their relevance in the space sector. According to Jevrell, space will become increasingly integral to a wide range of industries and sectors, adding that the Russia-Ukraine conflict demonstrated how space could be a strategic enabler in military operations.

“Sweden and India need to establish their relevance in space, not only for scientific exploration but for strategic purposes. Space will soon touch every domain, and we’ve already seen its use in Ukraine,” Jevrell pointed out.

An example of these growing collaborations is the Hyderabad-based space tech company Dhruva Space, which has signed an agreement with the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC). This partnership will allow Dhruva Space to use SSC’s ground station network for their upcoming LEAP-1 payload satellite mission.

Expanding Academic Collaborations

The Swedish delegation’s visit also included a stop at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where they explored academic partnerships. Per-Arne Wikström, counsellor at the Office of Science and Innovation at the Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi, said that interest among Swedish universities to collaborate with their Indian counterparts has increased significantly in recent years.

Last year, a delegation from 17 Swedish universities focusing on STEM disciplines visited India to foster partnerships. A second university delegation, focusing on social sciences and humanities, is set to visit India later this year.

Looking Ahead

As India continues its space journey with recent advancements and growing private-sector involvement, countries like Sweden are keen to deepen their partnerships. Both nations share common goals in space technology, innovation, and sustainability, making this collaboration a promising step towards future space exploration and technological development.

With Sweden’s innovation ecosystem and India’s rapidly growing space programme, the bilateral relationship is expected to evolve further, helping both countries establish themselves as key players in the global space industry.

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