Relevance : GS Paper II
India has stayed away from China’s Belt and Road Forum.
Pressure on India on regional connectivity due to China
- China’s BRI has pressed India to get its act together on regional connectivity.
- India is now working with others in promoting regional connectivity in the Indo-Pacific.
Change of India’s perception on BRI
- BRI is more than two-dimensional.
- The additional dimensions of BRI are outer space and digital domain.
The space and digital aspects of BRI
- China’s space silk road includes the BeiDou satellite navigation system.
- China has also launched a Big Earth Data initiative.
- China is also in the business of exporting satellites.
- Global surveillance capabilities, upgrading military effectiveness, etc
India’s space program vs China
- India’s space programme too has grown.
- India has a satellite navigation system of its own, the GAGAN.
- India’s remote sensing capability too is impressive.
- However, India has missed the China’s expansive scale.
Way forward for India
- Allow private corporations to play a larger role in space sector.
- Promote space startup.
- Rejuvenate India’s international space collaboration.
Conclusion
India can surely shape the future of space and digital connectivity.
