IAFI to host 3rd India Space Policy Conference 2026 on Defining India’s place in the global space economy

The ITU-APT Foundation of India, in partnership with Forum Global, will host the 3rd India Space Policy Conference (ISPC-26) on July 22-23, 2026 at The Imperial, New Delhi. Held under the theme “Defining India’s Place in the Global Space Economy,” the conference will bring together senior policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, technology companies and international experts to deliberate on the policies and partnerships that will shape the next phase of India’s space and satellite communications journey.

At a pivotal moment for India’s rapidly expanding space sector, ISPC-26 will serve as a premier platform for dialogue on regulatory reform, spectrum policy, satellite communications, innovation and international cooperation. The conference comes as India continues to implement landmark space sector reforms, strengthen public-private collaboration and prepare for key international deliberations, including the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27).

The two-day conference will see participation from leading government institutions, including the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing (WPC), IN-SPACe, the Department of Space, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) and Bharat 6G Alliance. It will also bring together representatives from leading Indian and global organisations, including GSOA, the Indian Space Association (ISpA), the Cyber Security Association of India (CSAI), Qualcomm, Ericsson, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Tata Communications, Amazon Project Kuiper, Viasat, Telesat, Sateliot, Dhruva Space, COAI, KPMG, EY and other key stakeholders from the global satellite communications ecosystem.

India is entering a defining phase in its space journey, with policy reforms creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation, investment and global collaboration. ISPC-26 will provide a unique platform for government, industry and international stakeholders to exchange perspectives, address emerging policy and regulatory challenges, and help shape a competitive, secure and future-ready space ecosystem that positions India as a leading player in the global space economy.

The conference program will examine the implementation of India’s space policy framework and the evolution of licensing, spectrum management and institutional coordination. It will explore international regulatory developments for non-geostationary satellite systems and provide an important platform to discuss India’s priorities and strategy for WRC-27.

Other sessions will focus on creating a balanced regulatory environment for satellite and terrestrial operators, the commercial rollout of direct-to-device satellite services, the integration of satellite networks into 5G and the future evolution towards 6G. Discussions will also examine how satellite technologies can accelerate digital inclusion, strengthen disaster resilience and expand connectivity in underserved regions.

Recognising the growing importance of responsible space governance, the conference will address issues relating to space sustainability, orbital debris management and the development of international norms for the safe and sustainable use of outer space. The concluding sessions will explore the policy, investment and innovation strategies required to position India as a globally competitive satellite communications hub.

By convening decision-makers from government, industry, international organisations and the broader space ecosystem, ISPC-26 aims to foster informed dialogue, build consensus on emerging policy issues and contribute to the development of a robust regulatory framework that supports innovation, investment and sustainable growth in India’s expanding space economy.

CT Bureau