The state-run Indian Space Agency said on Thursday that India has agreed to expand space cooperation with Italy by tapping opportunities in Earth observation, space science, robotics and human exploration.

In a statement Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that "At a bilateral meeting in virtual mode with the Italian Space Agency (ISA) on Wednesday, we have agreed to form thematic working groups to work on earth observation, space science and robotic and human exploration."

The virtual meeting was chaired by Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Sivan and Italian Space Agency President Giorgio Saccoccia.

India's space cooperation with Italy expanded a few days after the launch of the 637 kg Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 on a PSLV-C51 rocket from ISRO's spacecraft at Sriharikota on 28 February.

Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Marcos Pontes, who witnessed the launch at the spaceport, offered to enhance space relations with India. In a statement he said that "Brazil has requested India's support in procurement of material and systems for its launch vehicle programme."

Cooperation in space missions using ISRO's fourth stage of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle’s (PLSV) orbital platform for weather studies  was discussed in a meeting with the Brazilian delegation