South Asia Satellite(GSAT-9), much awaited product of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary and farsighted foreign policy, was launched recently. GSAT-9 is a communication and observation satellite developed by Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO).The idea of a regional satellite was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during 18th SAARC Summit held in Nepal in 2014.
This is perhaps the most significant step taken by India as part of its Neighbourhood First Policy. The policy so far has not been very effective because India did not take any evincive opening move. In three years of timespan,though India has made relations better with neighbourhood countries bilaterally, but SAARC as a regional group could not bear fruit in terms of productive outcomes.
The South Asia Satellite, though seems symbolic ostensibly, might take Indian diplomacy to the next level.Firstly, it justifies India's image of a "Big Brother" and portray a munificent gesture vis. a vis. China.This project is completely sponsored by India and presented as a gift to immediate neighbourhood countries. China. on the other hand, believes in quid pro quo. China, through its space collaboration initiative Asia Pacific Space Collaboration Organization, helps minor countries develop space programs and serve its economic purpose in return through OBOR like initiatives. In this context, this project will counter APSCO and China's influence in the region upto a certain extent.Leaders of Bangladesh,Nepal,Maldives,Bhutan and Sri Lanka have lauded India's efforts and commitment.
Secondly, it reaffirms India's stance against Pakistan. After Uri Attack, India decided to boycott Pakistan.This time, though Pakistan had voluntarily opted out from the project but it has made one thing clear that Pakistan's absence or presence in SAARC doesn't really matter anymore for India as well as other neighbourhood countries.
With this move, India has reiterated that as far as space diplomacy is concerned, India is no less than China in Asia. Having said that, it must be noted that India's investment in space lag behind. China is far ahead in terms of investment,development and innovation.
Space diplomacy,certainly, has its own limits. India needs to look up to other immediate challenges as well.Pakistani special force team beheaded two Indian military personnel recently. Soft power can not be the answer to this kind of barbaric and inhuman act.
Also, as I said earlier, this initiative is more kind of a symbolic step. Chances are less that it will actually counter China's influence in the region that too at the time when China has so much to offer to India's immediate neighbourhood.
South Asia Satellite is an example of India's hopefulness that South Asia as a region will grow and multilateral relations will become stronger. No doubt about that this project will have positive and meaningful consequences but the time has arrived when India needs to further look ahead and bring Smart Power diplomacy into practice.
This is perhaps the most significant step taken by India as part of its Neighbourhood First Policy. The policy so far has not been very effective because India did not take any evincive opening move. In three years of timespan,though India has made relations better with neighbourhood countries bilaterally, but SAARC as a regional group could not bear fruit in terms of productive outcomes.
The South Asia Satellite, though seems symbolic ostensibly, might take Indian diplomacy to the next level.Firstly, it justifies India's image of a "Big Brother" and portray a munificent gesture vis. a vis. China.This project is completely sponsored by India and presented as a gift to immediate neighbourhood countries. China. on the other hand, believes in quid pro quo. China, through its space collaboration initiative Asia Pacific Space Collaboration Organization, helps minor countries develop space programs and serve its economic purpose in return through OBOR like initiatives. In this context, this project will counter APSCO and China's influence in the region upto a certain extent.Leaders of Bangladesh,Nepal,Maldives,Bhutan and Sri Lanka have lauded India's efforts and commitment.
Secondly, it reaffirms India's stance against Pakistan. After Uri Attack, India decided to boycott Pakistan.This time, though Pakistan had voluntarily opted out from the project but it has made one thing clear that Pakistan's absence or presence in SAARC doesn't really matter anymore for India as well as other neighbourhood countries.
With this move, India has reiterated that as far as space diplomacy is concerned, India is no less than China in Asia. Having said that, it must be noted that India's investment in space lag behind. China is far ahead in terms of investment,development and innovation.
Space diplomacy,certainly, has its own limits. India needs to look up to other immediate challenges as well.Pakistani special force team beheaded two Indian military personnel recently. Soft power can not be the answer to this kind of barbaric and inhuman act.
Also, as I said earlier, this initiative is more kind of a symbolic step. Chances are less that it will actually counter China's influence in the region that too at the time when China has so much to offer to India's immediate neighbourhood.
South Asia Satellite is an example of India's hopefulness that South Asia as a region will grow and multilateral relations will become stronger. No doubt about that this project will have positive and meaningful consequences but the time has arrived when India needs to further look ahead and bring Smart Power diplomacy into practice.
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