TOKYO — Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will partner with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on the Chandrayaan-5 mission. This major collaboration, which aims to explore the Moon’s south pole, was revealed during a joint briefing with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo.
PM Modi stated that this partnership “will become a symbol of mankind’s progress in space,” highlighting that India and Japan’s combined efforts extend “beyond the limits of the earth.” The Chandrayaan-5 mission, also known as the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, is planned for a 2027-28 launch. As part of the agreement, JAXA will provide the rover, while ISRO will build the lander, with the mission aiming to locate and analyze water ice in the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions.
A New Chapter in India-Japan Relations
The space collaboration is a key component of a broader agreement outlined by both leaders to strengthen their “special strategic and global partnership.” During their discussions, the two prime ministers focused on laying out a roadmap for the next decade, centered on economic cooperation, innovation, and security.
PM Modi noted that India and Japan, as two of the world’s largest economies and democracies, are “natural partners” in shaping a better world. He described his talks with PM Ishiba as “productive” and “purposeful,” with a joint statement focusing on bolstering economic and security ties.
Among the other major announcements from the meeting:
- Japan has set a goal to invest 10 trillion Yen in India over the next 10 years, with a special focus on connecting small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in both countries.
- India and Japan are deepening their cooperation in high technology, particularly in semiconductors and rare earth minerals.
- Both nations are advancing their Digital Partnership 2.0 and launching a new AI Cooperation Initiative.
PM Modi emphasized that this partnership is rooted in mutual trust and reflects shared national priorities. He added that the combined strengths of “Japan’s excellence and India’s scale can create a perfect partnership.”