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Introduction

Outer space has become a vital arena of strategic competition, with satellites underpinning communication, navigation, intelligence, and military operations. China’s rapid development of counter-space capabilities poses challenges as well as opportunities for India’s security and space ecosystem.

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Negative Implications

• Satellite Vulnerability: China’s anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles can threaten India’s communication, navigation, and surveillance satellites during crises.
  Eg: China’s 2007 ASAT test destroyed the Fengyun-1C satellite, demonstrating its capability to physically target satellites.
• Military Disruption: Attacks on satellites can disrupt military command, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.
  Eg: Indian armed forces increasingly rely on satellites such as GSAT-7 and GSAT-7A for network-centric warfare.
• Space Deterrence Gap:  China’s advanced counter-space arsenal may create strategic asymmetry and weaken India’s deterrence posture.
• Economic Risks: Disruption of satellites can affect telecommunications, banking, disaster management, and logistics services across India.
• Space Debris Threat: ASAT tests generate debris that can damage civilian and military satellites alike.

Positive Implications

• Capability Building; Chinese advances have accelerated India’s investment in space security and defence preparedness.
  Eg: India successfully conducted Mission Shakti in 2019, demonstrating ASAT capability.
• Institutional Reforms: Growing threats have led to the creation of specialised space-security institutions.
  Eg: The Defence Space Agency (DSA) was established in 2019 to coordinate military space operations.
• Technological Innovation: Competition encourages indigenous development of advanced space technologies under ISRO and DRDO in surveillance, launch systems, and satellite protection.
• Strategic Partnerships: Common concerns about space security and space situational awareness strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries.
• Policy Focus: The threat environment has brought space security into mainstream national security planning.
  Eg: The Indian Space Policy 2023 emphasises enhancing national capabilities and space-sector participation.

Measures for Space Resilience

• Satellite Redundancy: Deploy larger constellations and backup satellites to ensure continuity of services during attacks.
• SSA Expansion: Strengthen Space Situational Awareness (SSA) for tracking threats, debris, and hostile manoeuvres.
  Eg: ISRO’s NETRA project aims to monitor space objects and potential risks.
• Asset Hardening: Develop satellites with cyber protection, manoeuvrability, and anti-jamming features incorporating electronic protection systems.
• Indigenous Capability: Enhance domestic launch, satellite manufacturing, and defence-space technologies like IN-SPACe and Indian Space Policy 2023 to promote self-reliance.
• Global Norms: Lead diplomatic efforts for responsible behaviour and prevention of an arms race in outer space.
  Eg: India consistently supports peaceful uses of outer space through multilateral forums such as the United Nations.

Conclusion

As space becomes a contested strategic domain, India must combine technological self-reliance, resilient space architecture, credible deterrence, and international cooperation. A balanced approach will safeguard national interests while promoting the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space.

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