South Asia Satellite and Space Diplomacy

The recent years have witnessed a splurge in the number of satellites and programmes being launched by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Although these initiatives are indicative of a huge progress in the field of space science, they have a special significance in India’s development of soft power also. This special contribution came into focus with the launch of GSAT 9 or the South Asia satellite through the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle from Sriharikota on May 5, 2017.

Features of South Asia Satellite

• It is a 50 m tall rocket and has a weight of 412 tonnes.
• The satellite is to be used purely for communication purposes and weighs 2230 kg. It has a cost of Rs 450 crore.
• It has a life span of more than 12 years.
• It has a cuboidal shape that is built around a central cylinder.

South Asia Satellite and Space Diplomacy

The GSAT 9 has the objective of providing communication applications in Ku-band to most of the South Asian countries. Some of the indications of strong space diplomacy are:

• Five countries have been involved by India to provide them with data through the GSAT 9. These are Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. While the hands of cooperation were extended to Pakistan, it was turned down.
• The satellite puts one transponder of it in these participating countries so that they can stay connected to one another via GSAT 9. This is the first such initiative in the South Asian region.
• India is extending assistance and know-how to the countries for building the ground infrastructure with relation to the satellites.
• The satellite has the potential to help the participating countries in protecting their areas from earthquakes, cyclones, floods and tsunamis through securing hot lines. It will help the countries in maintaining critical communication links with one another when hit by a disaster.

Previous Initiatives of Space Diplomacy

India has entered into space diplomacy in previous instances also. These are:

• France-India had entered into agreement with France to use the launch complexes and received technical assistance in constructing the SHAR launch complex. It also had entered into contracts for the French Arianespace Launchers. Several satellites like the Argos and ALtika were developed by this mechanism.
• Germany- Germany had sent nine satellites and an instrument onboard Chandrayaan-1. It also has similar relations with Denmark, Austria and Denmark.

Pakistan’s Position vis-à-vis India

Although Pakistan has refused to accept inclusion in India’s space programme claiming to have its own space programme, many claim that it has worked against Pakistan. With this, it has failed to develop its soft power diplomacy which is very essential for normalization of relations. It is relevant to note that Pakistan had a space research organization before India. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is older than ISRO and it had launched its first rocket five years in advance of India. But its space programmes is still in a primitive stage as it has not made some significant launches after this. The country only has launched five satellites in space and does not have any satellite fabrication facilities or heavy duty launchers. So, it is termed as a ‘missed opportunity’ for Pakistan.

However, the move by India to include SAARC countries in their space diplomacy is a very significant move owing to the increase influence of China on India’s neighbours. China has a first mover advantage already but that can be overcome by India through greater cooperation.