India, Russia to work jointly on development of navigation platform, GIS

NEW DELHI: Strengthening their cooperation in the field of space technology, Russia and India today signed an agreement which will enable joint development and implementation of projects like navigation platform and Geographical Information System in India.

The agreement signed between India's Eirene Systems Private Limited and Russia's GLONASS Union will also be a joint venture to market Glonass technologies and solutions in India.

Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) is a space-based satellite navigation system operated by the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces. It is the second alternative navigational system in operation with global coverage.

India too has its own navigational system - Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)- designed to provide precise position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1500 km from its boundary.

Until now, India has launched three navigational satellites - IRNSS - 1A, 1B and 1C. IRNSS-1C is the third navigation satellite of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS space segment, which was launched in October this year.

Both the countries also agreed to cooperate within the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and advance it in a "pragmatic and steady manner".

The two countries also expressed "mutual interest" in coordinating actions with reference to the current endeavour of the Committee to work out guidelines related to ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.