Report Urges India to Take Lead in Reforming Global Space Laws Amid China-Pakistan Cooperation

New Delhi: India's growing strategic concerns over China-Pakistan cooperation in space technology have highlighted the need for reforms in international space governance, with a new report calling on New Delhi to take a leading role in shaping rules for responsible space activities.

The report published by India Narrative pointed to gaps in existing international space agreements, particularly concerning dual-use technologies that can serve both civilian and military purposes. It also raised concerns about the potential exploitation of legal loopholes to undermine national security and sovereignty.

According to the report, China's space partnership with Pakistan goes beyond satellite launches and technological exchanges. It described the cooperation as part of Beijing's broader effort to strengthen strategic ties with countries that have tensions with India.

The report also flagged potential data security risks, noting that Pakistani satellites could capture images of Indian civilian and military installations. Such activities, it argued, could raise regulatory challenges for India, as existing domestic frameworks may not adequately cover all aspects of cross-border satellite-based data collection.

The China-led Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO), headquartered in Beijing, was cited as another indicator of the expanding partnership. Pakistan is among the organisation's founding members.

Pakistan's launch of the PRSC-EO3 satellite from China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre and its ambitious Space Vision 2047 programme were also highlighted as examples of growing technological cooperation between the two countries.

Particular attention was drawn to the transfer of dual-use technologies, including China's BeiDou satellite navigation system, which has been integrated into Pakistan's technological infrastructure and extended to military applications.

The report said China's announcement of a BeiDou-enabled network of continuously operating radar stations in Pakistan had exposed shortcomings in the existing international legal framework governing space activities.

It noted that agreements such as the Outer Space Treaty do not explicitly address several emerging challenges, including indirect militarisation of space infrastructure and questions of accountability when dual-use technologies are transferred to another country and subsequently employed for military purposes.

The publication also referred to reports alleging that terrorists in Kashmir have used satellite communication devices based on BeiDou and commercially available navigation technologies. It cautioned that satellite imaging capabilities and communication networks could similarly be exploited for hostile activities.

Against this backdrop, the report argued that India should push for a more comprehensive international framework covering dual-use technology transfers, satellite-based surveillance, data protection and accountability for activities conducted through space infrastructure.

It said India's leadership in discussions on space law reform could help address emerging security challenges while promoting transparency and responsible conduct in an increasingly contested space environment.

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