(a) whether the Government is concerned about the use of arms in space;
(b) if so, the measures being taken by the Government to avoid such situation;
(c) whether the Government has discussed/proposes to discuss the said matter with other countries; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
(a) to (d)
Yes Madam. The Government is against the weaponisation of Outer Space and supports international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets.
India is party to all the major international treaties relating to Outer Space and Government believes that this international legal framework needs to be strengthened to enhance the security of space assets for all users and to prevent the weaponisation of Outer Space. To this end, Government is actively engaged in international forums such as Conference on Disarmament (CD), United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and the UN General Assembly. India has contributed in particular to the discussions in the Working Group on Long Term Sustainability of Outer Space activities for peaceful purposes in the Legal Sub-committee of UNCOPUOS and the discussions on the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) in Conference on Disarmament. India has also participated actively in discussions led by the European Union on a draft International Code of Conduct for Outer space activities since 2012.
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