Artemis Accords: In a new space

Source: The post is based on an article “Artemis Accords: In a new space” published in the Indian Express on 24th June 2023.  

Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations.

Relevance: About the significance of Artemis Mission and associated challenges. 

News: Recently, India signed the Artemis Accord. It demonstrates India’s commitment to following best practices in space exploration. 

About Artemis Mission 

What are the implications of the Artemis Accord for US-India relations? 

By signing the accord, India has aligned itself with the US-led space exploration program, which currently excludes two major space explorers – Russia and China. 

Further, the agreement is important considering the US-India relationship in the 1980s and 1990s, when the US hindered India’s access to crucial space technology. 

It also pressured Russia to retract its commitment to supply cryogenic technology, setting back India’s space program for nearly three decades. 

Now, in the joint statements, the US has promised to address export controls and facilitate technology transfer. This indicates a shift in the US stance towards India and a willingness to collaborate on space technology. 

What is the significance of the Accord for India? 

India’s space plans like human missions, moon landings, planetary explorations, setting up a space station, has already been done by countries like the US, Russia or China.  

While achieving these missions independently provide expertise, there are also concerns of staying behind the other countries in such missions. 

Moreover, India’s delay in sending manned missions or landing a satellite on the moon is not due to a lack of capacity or expertise but rather the technology denial regime of earlier years. 

Therefore, joining the US-led alliance is an attempt by India to collaborate on the next generation of space technologies while simultaneously pursuing its own space plans. 

What are the challenges with India signing the Artemis Accord? 

Russia has been India’s most trusted partner both in the space and defence sectors. Recently, Russia also offered its facilities to train Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission. 

Therefore, India joining a US-led alliance that promotes the interest of the US is not likely to be seen very favourably by Russia. 

Hence, India will have to strike a careful and delicate balance that it has been doing in the energy sector ever since the war in Ukraine.