New Delhi: After multiple rounds of diplomatic and military discussions, India and China are advancing along the process of disengagement after the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two nations reverted to its pre-2020 state. The relations between India and China had turned sour following a violent clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020. The disengagement opens up the possibility of India and China working closely together, including in the space domain. The two countries actually have a long history of cooperation in space. On 13 December, 1991, India and China signed an agreement for bilateral cooperation in space research, technology and applications.
The agreement was signed by the then Chariman of the Space Commission, UR Rao and the Chinese counterpart, the Vice-Minister for Aerospace, Liu Jiyuan. The agreement was signed in the presence of the then India Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and the China Prime Minister Li Peng. On 18 September, 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ISRO and the China National Space Agency (CNSA) on the peaceful use of outer space. The agreement covered research and development of satellites, launch and tracking control services, development of ground systems, and research in the fields of space, atmospheric sciences, microgravity testing and radio astronomy.
International collaborations to benefit mankind
At the IAC 24, China reiterated its intentions to work closely with countries around the world, including emerging economies, for cultivating a thriving spacefaring community. India too, has previously committed to collaborate with other nations for the benefit of all humans of Earth, and keeping space free of conflict. Speaking a the Centre for Contemporary China Studies at Sushma Swaraj Bhavan in New Delhi last year, Space Minister Jitendra Singh said, “We have consistently adhered to the principles of transparency, accountability and peaceful uses of Space. And therefore we urge upon every other nation including China to engage in open dialogue with others so that we share each other’s missions, ventures without being secretive or suspicious and also ensure that we preserve a secure, safe and stable environment.”
