Weaponising the outer space

Two decades ago when India conducted the nuclear test in Pokhran on May 11, 1998, there was a lot of jubilation by the government and the workers of the ruling party. People were made to believe that with this India will become a powerful country. Those who raised scepticism about the whole programme were labelled for not standing for national interest. In response, the Pakistan government conducted nuclear tests just after 17 days on May 28. While India had done 6 explosions, Pakistan did seven. The whole talk of a powerful nation with nuclear weapons got subdued. With this, we got into the nuclear arms race, spending huge amounts on nuclear weapons programme. At present both countries spend an exorbitant amount on arms race in comparison with expenditure on social needs.

Now that Indian government has developed Anti Satellite missile (A-SAT), it would be naïve to believe that our neighbouring country will not react to it. Even though the Anti-Satellite missiles are not directed towards Pakistan because they do not have any satellite, yet Pakistan would not tolerate the macho image of India. China too has satellites. However, it is not possible to target them.

Pakistan's reaction will be seen in due course of time. But the situation has become murkier. The whole campaign against the weaponisation of outer space may be weakened. Many technologically advanced countries have not joined this star wars programme because there is a general agreement that outer space should be left without any such waste.

ISRO is a respectable organisation which has to its credit developing satellites for communication and other purposes. This apparent move during election days is not only undesirable but dangerous. We cannot afford to waste our resources in such competition and develop programmes with a desire to create a sham image nationally and internationally. Statements by the Finance and Defence minister that the test firing is India's bid to prepare for "tomorrow's war" is unwarranted and too ominous.

At this time when the electioneering is its peak, the Prime Minister should lay more emphasis on health, education and social indices. It is risky to justify the achievements of the scientific community by statements like "My aim is to make every Indian feel secured. I have great belief in the countrymen's capabilities, commitment, dedication and ability to craft unitedly a nation which is strong, prosperous and secure. I envision such a Bharat where people can imagine such futuristic projects and garner the courage to go forward."

India is a signatory to the Outer Space Treaty reached in January 1967. The international treaty is binding on the parties to use outer space only for peaceful purposes.

We must plan our strategies based on the priority needs of our people. India ranks at 140 in the human development index and Pakistan at 150. Our hunger index is 103 out of 118 countries and Pakistan's is 106. While the government admits below poverty line people to be 20 per cent of our population, the unofficial figures may be much higher. India's happiness index fell from 133 to 140 last year out of 156 countries as per the survey by the Sustainable Development solutions network under the UN. Investments in health and education remain less than 4 per cent and 3 per cent of respective gross domestic product (GDP) in the region. These are serious issues to be addressed.

We should develop new strategies to combat terrorism in South Asia. Rhetoric against each other has not paid till date. We are a big country with immense diversity. It is time to take initiatives for sustainable peace and development.

(Dr. Arun Mitra is Vice President, Indian Doctors for Peace and Development. Views are personal)