India PM Modi with Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba.
India’s ISRO and Japan’s JAXA Set for Historic Collaboration for Lunar Mission: New Delhi, August 29, 2025: In a bold step towards enhancing global space exploration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India’s collaboration with Japan’s aerospace agency, JAXA, on joint space missions will play a critical role in fostering innovation, encouraging industrial cooperation, and stimulating startups in both countries. The collaboration, aimed at furthering scientific knowledge and technological development, marks a significant milestone in the relationship between two of Asia’s most dynamic economies in the rapidly advancing space sector.
During a high-profile interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun, a leading Japanese newspaper, Modi described the joint missions between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and JAXA as a major leap forward for both nations. According to the Prime Minister, the partnership will not only deepen mutual understanding in the realm of space science but also create fertile ground for industrial synergies and startup-driven innovations in India and Japan.
A New Era in Lunar Exploration
One of the highlights of the India-Japan space partnership is the collaboration on the Chandrayaan-5 mission, which is also referred to as the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission. Scheduled for launch in 2027-28, the mission aims to explore the lunar south pole, a region that has piqued the interest of scientists worldwide due to its potential reserves of water ice, a key resource for future space exploration.
Modi expressed his excitement over this collaboration, emphasizing the importance of the mission in furthering humanity’s understanding of the moon’s shadowed regions. “Our government-to-government collaboration in the space sector, between ISRO and JAXA, is fostering a culture of cooperation between our industries and startups. This is creating an ecosystem where innovation flows both ways— from labs to launch pads, and from research to real-world applications,” he said.
The Chandrayaan-5 mission will feature a rover developed by JAXA and a lander developed by ISRO, highlighting the complementary strengths of both space agencies. While ISRO brings its expertise in lander technology and mission execution, JAXA contributes with its advanced rover technology and deep knowledge of lunar exploration. Together, the two agencies aim to unravel the mysteries of the lunar south pole, which could become a vital resource hub for long-term human presence on the moon.
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India-Japan delegation level talks in Tokyo.
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Strengthening Bilateral Ties Through Space Cooperation
Modi, who is currently in Japan on a two-day official visit, described space exploration as the next frontier for India. “From Chandrayaan-3’s historic landing on the moon’s south pole to our advances in interplanetary missions, India has consistently demonstrated that space is not the final frontier, it is the next frontier,” he said, highlighting India’s growing prowess in space science and technology.
India’s success with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made history with a soft landing on the moon’s south pole in 2023, has catapulted the country to the forefront of lunar exploration. Modi noted that this achievement has been made possible through the “determination, hard work, and innovation of our scientists,” who have continually pushed the boundaries of space science.
Through the India-Japan space collaboration, the two nations seek to build a bridge between their scientific communities, with a focus on leveraging the strengths of both countries. Modi highlighted that this partnership would not only advance space research but would also bring tangible benefits on Earth, particularly in fields such as agriculture, disaster management, and communications, where space technologies have already had a profound impact.
“The impact of space science is linked to progress in our daily lives,” Modi pointed out. From crop forecasting and irrigation management to early warning systems for natural disasters, space technologies have enabled India to enhance its infrastructure and improve the quality of life for millions of its citizens.
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Japan’s Growing Role in Global Space Exploration
The upcoming joint mission is a continuation of Japan’s increasing engagement in global space initiatives. With its strong technological base and expertise in space exploration, JAXA has been an integral player in international space collaborations. Japan has long been a partner to countries like the United States and Russia in space endeavors, but the India-Japan partnership is poised to take their collaboration to new heights.
JAXA’s role in the Chandrayaan-5 mission is crucial, as it will contribute the advanced rover technology that will be deployed on the moon’s surface. The rover will search for signs of water ice, a critical discovery that could lay the foundation for future lunar resource utilization. Japan’s space agency has also been instrumental in research and development of lunar exploration technologies, making them a key ally in the mission’s success.
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A Vision of Space Collaboration for Startups and Industry
In addition to scientific advancement, the partnership between ISRO and JAXA will also serve as a catalyst for industrial growth, especially among startups. PM Modi emphasized the need for fostering a collaborative space ecosystem that goes beyond governmental cooperation and includes private industries and entrepreneurs.
India’s space sector has been a hotbed for private sector growth in recent years, with companies like SpaceX rival Bharti Airtel-backed OneWeb, Agnikul Cosmos, and Skyroot Aerospace leading the charge. Modi’s vision for India is clear: to create an environment that nurtures the innovative potential of startups in the space industry. The joint missions with JAXA, he said, would open up new avenues for collaboration and technological exchange, where both nations’ industries and startups would thrive together.
Both India and Japan have strong startup ecosystems, with India’s growing space sector and Japan’s advanced manufacturing capabilities creating an ideal environment for cross-border partnerships. The Indian government has also played an instrumental role in providing policy support to private space companies through initiatives such as the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe), which aims to facilitate private sector participation in space activities.
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The Road Ahead: Deeper Ties and New Horizons
As Prime Minister Modi concluded the interview, he spoke of the broader significance of India’s space ambitions. “I am confident that our scientific teams will be working together to push the boundaries of space science. And, our partnership in space will not only expand horizons above us, but also improve lives around us,” he said, offering a vision of how space exploration could yield not just scientific discoveries, but economic opportunities and social benefits.
Modi’s visit to Japan, which coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, underscores the growing importance of Indo-Japanese cooperation in technology and innovation. With space exploration as a cornerstone of their collaboration, India and Japan are poised to lead the way in the next phase of human exploration beyond Earth.
As the world watches the upcoming Chandrayaan-5 mission and other joint ventures, it is clear that the partnership between ISRO and JAXA is set to redefine the global space landscape, turning shared ambition into a journey that could bring transformative change to industries, economies, and lives on both sides of the world.
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