In a significant meeting held today at North Block, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, met with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss the Indian Navy’s collaboration in two of India’s critical initiatives: the Gaganyaan mission and the Deep Sea Mission. Admiral Tripathi, who recently assumed his role, reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to supporting these landmark projects.
The discussion emphasized the growing collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the Navy’s crucial role as the lead agency responsible for the recovery of the crew module for Gaganyaan, India’s first human space mission. He also noted the Navy’s successful recovery operations during the first developmental mission (TV-D1) on October 23, 2023. This joint effort reflects the “Whole of Government Approach” envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fostering cross-sector cooperation to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Dr. Singh, who holds multiple portfolios including Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, stated, “By 2025, the world will witness an Indian in space and another exploring the deep sea.” He emphasized that the Deep Sea Mission, a significant initiative under his ministry, is being undertaken with the Indian Navy—referred to as the “Guardians of the Indian Ocean”—to enhance submarine capabilities and ocean exploration.
Reflecting on the deep-rooted partnership between the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Indian Navy, Dr. Singh mentioned several MoUs that have advanced both national interests and humanitarian objectives. He praised the government’s vision for transforming the space sector by encouraging private sector involvement and cited the removal of the Angel Tax on startups as a key step in promoting innovation.
Dr. Singh urged Admiral Tripathi to explore collaborations with technology startups, noting that many sectors within the defense industry have already benefited from such initiatives. He also credited Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in prioritizing both the Gaganyaan and Deep Sea Missions, which have seen rapid progress since being announced from the Red Fort. These missions are poised to showcase India’s growing technological and scientific capabilities on the global stage.
Admiral Tripathi, who is currently the 26th Chief of Naval Staff, highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Ministry of Earth Sciences. He mentioned existing agreements for sharing oceanographic and meteorological data, training initiatives through INCOIS, and collaboration with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). He also discussed the importance of NAVIC, India’s indigenous navigation system developed by ISRO, in strengthening national security and scientific research.
The meeting underscored the Navy’s unwavering commitment to these joint missions, which are critical for both national defense and scientific advancement.
