Permanent Mission of India to the UN

India’s Explanation of Vote (Pre-Voting)

Outer Space Cluster- 77th UNGA First Committee, 1 November 2022, UNHQ, New York

- Delivered by Mr. Maitrey Kulkarni, Deputy Secretary (D&ISA)

L.27 Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours (DECISION)

As a major spacefaring nation, India has vital developmental and security interests in space. India remains opposed to the weaponization of outer space. India has not, resorted to arms race in outer space. India has been a consistent advocate of preserving the outer space as an ever-expanding frontier for cooperative endeavours.

India continues to support substantive consideration of the prevention of an arms race in outer space and we remain committed to legally-binding instrument on PAROS which is universally acceptable, verifiable and multilaterally negotiated in the CD.

Subjectivity in the interpretation of space behaviours and perception of threats, how they are understood, and the application of such determinations, has been a matter of concern for us. We have concerns about ‘who’ and on ‘what basis’ will make assessments about the responsibility, or lack thereof, in respect of space activities or operations.

We also have concerns about the appropriate verification of space behaviour using current technology and access to such technology. The means for an unbiased assessment of a space behavior that are accepted and understood by consensus, and that are immune to politicization, are a related matter of concern.

Therefore, even as we participate constructively in the OEWG on Reducing Space Threats established pursuant to Resolution 76/231, we are constrained to abstain on L.27.

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