India urges binding global pact to prevent arms race in outer space

India has called for outer space to remain a realm of cooperation rather than conflict and urged countries to negotiate a legally binding international agreement to prevent an arms race in space, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Delivering India's statement on outer space at the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on Tuesday, Member of Parliament Sudha Murty said India favoured an agreement that was universally acceptable, verifiable and negotiated by multiple countries at the Conference on Disarmament.

“India is a major space-faring nation. Our space programme has both developmental and security dimensions,” Murty said, according to PTI.

“India believes that outer space belongs to all of us. We are one Earth, one family with one future. It is our view that outer space should remain a realm for cooperation, not conflict,” she said.

Noting the emergence of new participants in the space sector, Murty said technologies and assets that could have both civilian and military uses had become a reality.

“A difference of opinion continues on approaches to preventing an arms race in outer space and on which approach should take priority,” she said.

India reiterated its preference for a legally binding agreement on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space. Murty said India was also open to universal and non-discriminatory voluntary norms, along with measures to improve transparency and build confidence. However, she stressed that these could complement, but not replace, a legally binding agreement.

India also said threats to the safety, security and long-term sustainability of outer space must be considered alongside the risks of misunderstanding and miscalculation, as well as the threshold for what constitutes the use of force in space.

“A selective focus on some threats or others would be counterproductive. Verifying space behaviour, including access to relevant information and data, also poses real challenges. Mandates of various fora focusing on space security, safety, and sustainability must be respected,” Murty said, as reported by PTI.

She added that overlaps and the creation of multiple standards for the same issues should be avoided.

Murty said India, as a developing country, believed that any outcome of the process must not discourage the exchange of scientific and technological research for peaceful and legitimate purposes.

She also highlighted India's space achievements and future plans, noting that the country had landed a spacecraft on the Moon in 2023 and was preparing for its human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. India also plans to build the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, its national space station.

Murty is part of the second group of visiting Indian parliamentarians who arrived for a familiarisation visit to the United Nations. The lawmakers are scheduled to meet officials at the UN headquarters, senior UN representatives, envoys and members of the Indian diaspora.

India's statement called for a comprehensive and legally binding global agreement to prevent conflict in outer space while protecting peaceful scientific and technological cooperation.

With PTI Inputs

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