India calls for weapon-free outer space

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) Two months after China destroyed a satellite in Polar orbit, India today called upon the comity of nations to maintain outer space exclusively for peaceful purposes and guard it as the ''common, peaceful heritage of mankind''.

''The security and safety of assets in outer space is today of crucial importance for global economic and social development,'' External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha today, while replying to questions on ''Anti-Satellite test'' conducted by neighbouring China.

He said China destroyed one of their inactive weather satellittes in polar orbit with kinetic impact using a ballistic missile. The test had increased the quantity of space debris in low earth orbit.

However, no damage had been observed so far on any Indian satellite.

Mr Mukherjee said the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the test on January 23 this year, while reiterating China's commitment to the peaceful uses of outer space.

Asked if the technological tests conducted by China had threatened civilian space programmes of the country, he said India's stand with regard to weaponisation of space was that it was essential to prserve the long-standing international consensus on peaceful uses of outer space.

''Our Government believes that this consensus could be undermined by continuation of such testing or deployment of weapons in outer space.'' Mr Mukherjee said India had raised the issue with China during the visit of its Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing during February 11-14 this year.

The Chinese side stressed that it was against weaponisation of outer space and that their test was of purely technological and scientific significance and not directed against any country. In response, India's principled opposition to the militarisation of space was conveyed.

Mr Mukherjee called upon all states to redouble efforts to strengthen the international legal regime for the peaceful uses of otuer space.

In this context, he said the government would continue to be closely engaged with the multilateral effort towards keeping outer space free of weapons.

UNI