78^th session of the UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Fourth Committee Joint General Debate

“International cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space”

(Agenda Item No. 48)

(October 26, 2023)

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Mdm Chairman,

India deeply values the role played by the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in ensuring and encouraging peaceful uses of outer space for humankind. India also appreciates the sincere work of UN Office of Outer Space Affairs in conducting 60^th session of Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC), 62^nd session of Legal Subcommittee (LSC) and 66^th sessions of COPUOS. India always look forward to the constructive engagement and dialogues of all COPUOS members on this matter.

2. India being a major space-faring nation, has vital development interest in space. We consistently support and advocate the need to preserve outer space as a common heritage of humankind. We are, we were and we will remain cooperative in all space activities favoring all space-faring and space-aspiring nations.

3. India has been pursuing its space activities, for over 5 decades, with the vision of utilizing the applications of space technology for the benefit of the common man. Our space programme has always focused on integrating the advances in space technology and applications with the national development goals and enhancing capabilities across launch vehicles, satellites and space applications for meeting the needs of the nation. This is evident from the fact that the national space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation, is currently working with 60 Ministries and Departments on promoting space technology tools and application.

Mdm. Chair,

4. India achieved one of the major milestones in its space journey on 23 August 2023 by soft landing on the lunar surface near lunar south pole in its third lunar mission Chandrayan-3. The Vikram lander and Pragyan rover also conducted several scientific experiments which will enhance our understanding of the Moon. India also launched its first solar observatory mission Aditya-L1 in September 2023, which is on its way to its final destination, 1.5 million km from the Earth, which will provide crucial information to enhance our understanding of solar activities and its effect on space weather. The activities of the Indian human space flight program – Gaganyaan – is also progressing. First successful demonstration flight of the Crew Escape System Test Vehicle took place on 21^st October.

5. India pursues bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries and space agencies in the peaceful uses of outer space. Over the years, India signed more than 260 Space cooperation documents with 61 countries and 5 multinational bodies. India continued its space cooperation activities with its partners including Bhutan, France, Japan, Mexico, Russian Federation and the United States of America in areas of earth observation, climate action, space exploration, space situation awareness, etc. For the benefit of Pacific Island Countries, India developed a web portal named DWIPIC (Data Warehouse for Empowering Pacific Island Countries), with satellite data and products of particular relevance to Pacific Island Countries. A similar India-Oman Space Portal was also developed for use by Oman.

6. Taking cognizance of the fact that Space Situational Awareness (SSA) is now an integral and indispensable part of safe and sustainable space operations, an exclusive system named ‘ISRO System for safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS⁴OM)’ has been established to ensure that India’s outer space activities are conducted in a safe and sustainable manner. India has undertaken projects to set up space object observation facilities (radars and optical telescopes) for dedicated tracking and monitoring of space objects. The NETRA (Network for space object Tracking and Analysis) project aims to enhance space object monitoring capabilities and to bring all SSA efforts under a common umbrella for more efficient management and coordination. A dedicated control center for SSA has been established where an in-house software capable of processing of observational data acquired by different facilities, fusing the data, object identification and cataloguing has been deployed.

7. Indian Space Research Organisation continues to share its facilities and expertise in the application of space science and technology with international partners by conducting short-term and long-term courses through Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) and the United Nations (UN) affiliated Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) situated at Dehradun in India. As on date, more than 4500 beneficiaries from more than 110 countries have benefited from these programs.

Mdm Chairman,

8. The unique 8-week capacity building programme on nano- satellite development, named as UNNATI (UNispace Nanosatellite Assembly &Training by ISRO) launched an UNISPACE+50 initiative in 2018, completed the third batch of training during 15 October to 15 December 2022, benefiting 31 officials representing 19 countries. The first two batches of this unique programme with hands-on training in assembling, integrating and testing small satellites has benefited 60 officials from 33 nations.

9. Indian Space Research Organisation continues to play an active role in the deliberation of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). At UNCOPUOS, India is honoured with the selection of its candidate as the Chair of New Working Group on Long Term Sustainability of outer space of the Scientific and Technical subcommittee, to identify challenges to long term sustainability and to facilitate implementation of adopted 21 guidelines with required capacity building. The Working Group has received significant inputs from the Member States and is working on conducting its capacity building Workshop during the upcoming 61^st session of STSC.

10. Indian Space Research Organisation also actively participates in the meetings of prominent multilateral fora including International Astronautical Federation (IAF), International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), International Institute of Space Law (IISL), Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), Coordination Group on Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), International Committee for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG), Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) and Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).

Mdm. Chairman,

11. Government of India has announced reforms in the space sector for enhanced participation by private actors in space program. In line with this, an Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (INSPACe) was created with the mandate to promote, hand hold, permit, monitor and supervise space activities of Non-Governmental Private Entities and accord necessary permissions as per the regulatory provisions. India is also contributing to capacity building in space laws through various means. The Government of India envisages the private Indian space industry to be a co-traveler in India’s space journey. In the coming days, in addition to the current agency to agency level cooperation, India’s international cooperation in the field of space will include industry level and academic level cooperation too.

12. Given the new challenges in the outer space activities with entry of more players, it is important to strengthen the international legal framework to ensure that outer space environment is conducive for peaceful uses and also to enhance the safety and security of all space assets. We believe that international consultations and consensus on these issues are very essential at this juncture.

13. In conclusion, Indian delegation would like to express its full support to this Committee in all its endeavors in promoting peaceful uses of outer space for the benefit of entire humanity.

I thank you Mdm Chairman