SPACE DIPLOMACY ISRO's Expanding International Collaborations

Introduction - India's introduction into the space era was distinguished by a special fusion of humanitarian goals and scientific aspirations. Since its establishment in 1969, ISRO has developed into a worldwide-renowned space agency from the dream of a developing country.

- By Prof Dr Kemal YILDIRIM

Although its technical accomplishments, such as the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions, are widely praised, its contribution to space diplomacy is just as important. India's foreign policy today heavily relies on ISRO's international partnerships, which foster cross-border peaceful cooperation, capacity building, and sustainable development.

India’s Space Diplomacy Development

International cooperation was the foundation of India’s early space endeavours. ISRO benefited from Soviet and American support for satellite launches, technology, and training during the 1960s. But by the 1990s, India had developed into a self-sufficient space power that could help others with technology. Technology exports were first temporarily restricted following the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, but ISRO’s steadfast dedication to peaceful space applications recovered its reputation around the world. Since then, India has prioritised collaborative science and equitable access** to space-based advantages in its space diplomacy, which is consistent with the UN’s view of space as “the province of all humankind.”

Significant International Partnerships

1. The United States: From Competition to Collaboration. Since the end of the Cold War, the US-India space relationship has developed considerably. The joint NISAR project (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), scheduled for launch in the mid-2020s, represents a significant development in this partnership. By measuring ecological changes, ice loss, and natural disasters, this Earth observation satellite will show the nations’ common dedication to climate monitoring and global sustainability.