Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale heads to Moscow to discuss outer space rules

NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale is heading to Moscow this weekend for talks on proposed rules for keeping outer space peaceful in the backdrop of India’s Anti-Satellite Missile Test (ASMT). India’s decision to conduct ASMT and the weaponisation of outer space will be among the key talking points when Gokhale meets senior Russian officials in Moscow later this week and early next week, ET has learnt.

It is understood that rules for maintaining peace in outer space will be among the talking points. The Ministry of External Affairs had briefed Russia and the other permanent members of the UN Security Council following the test.

Also on Gokhale’s agenda will be the expansion of the counterterror partnership and the exploration of joint projects in Afghanistan. Besides, India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the expiry of the US waiver for India’s purchases of oil from Iran in early May and stability in the Indo-Pacific region will be discussed, sources indicated.


Russia acknowledged India’s right to conduct ASMTs on Friday and put the onus on the US for framing rules at the earliest to prevent the weaponisation of outer space. “We noted the test of anti-satellite weapons conducted by India on March 27, as a result of which an Indian spacecraft - a target - in a low earth orbit was hit by an interceptor ballistic missile. We highlight the non-directedness of this test against any specific country declared by the Indian leadership...” Russia’s foreign ministry noted in a statement.