South Asia’s Space Programmes: Development and Diplomacy

Abstract

The recent launch of the Bangabandhu-1, Bangladesh’s first geostationary satellite to orbit, marks yet another example of the growing use of space technology for development among the South Asian countries. The expanding use of space technology in the region has given China and India more opportunities to continue using technological cooperation as a tool of diplomacy. This paper argues that India still needs to raise its game in South Asia to cope with the rapid advances in Chinese space diplomacy in the region.