French astronaut Thomas Pesquet expressed his dream of flying with an Indian astronaut to explore outer space and bring the unbelievable benefits of space exploration to humanity. Speaking at the Indian Space Conclave organized by the Indian Space Association (ISpA), Pesquet emphasized the need to protect Earth, which appears fragile from outer space. He commended India's upcoming Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send humans into space, calling it an impressive milestone that has garnered global attention.

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet didn’t wait for his official visit to India to capture the country’s beauty!

Watch these mesmerizing pictures of Indian locations captured by the 🇫🇷astronaut during his missions in space:@Thom_astro @esa @CNES @PhBaptiste @ISpA_India pic.twitter.com/k3uuo53XCs

— French Embassy in India 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinIndia) October 9, 2023

During his two six-month stays on the International Space Station in 2016-17 and 2021, Pesquet had the opportunity to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Paris and discuss the importance of human spaceflight. Inspired by his experiences, Pesquet expressed his desire to collaborate with an Indian astronaut and expand cooperation in space exploration between the two countries. At the Conclave, the ISpA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GIFAS, the French Aerospace Industries Association, to enhance cooperation in the space sector.

This move underscores the increasing collaboration between India and France, with both countries encouraging industry partnerships. France aims to launch a reusable small launcher within the next three years. French Ambassador-designate to India, Thierry Mathou, highlighted the potential for collaboration between Indian and French companies in the space industry, inviting Indian businesses to invest in France to tap into European space expertise. The MoU between ISpA and GIFAS aims to enhance understanding of space industry capabilities, promote sustainable growth, foster innovation, and facilitate academic and educational exchanges between the two countries.

Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd.), Director General of the Indian Space Association, emphasized the commitment to strengthen industry collaboration between India and France, pushing the boundaries of space exploration and unlocking limitless possibilities. Pesquet also praised India's recent Chandrayaan-3 mission, which successfully landed on the south pole side of the Moon. He highlighted how this achievement has garnered international attention and demonstrated India's capabilities in space exploration. The astronaut expressed his enthusiasm for India's upcoming Gaganyaan mission, stressing its importance in sending humans into space and its profound impact on the world.

Pesquet's visit to India also celebrated the country's inclusion in the Artemis accords, a global initiative aimed at advancing space exploration. He emphasized that this joint step between France and India marks the beginning of a transformative journey that will change the world forever. With space playing a critical role in addressing climate change and providing countless opportunities, the convergence of French and Indian leadership underscores the significance of space exploration in shaping a shared future.