India has called on the international community to ensure that outer space remains a domain of peaceful cooperation rather than conflict. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on October 20, 2026, Indian Member of Parliament Sudha Murty presented India’s position on international space security and urged countries to work towards a legally binding agreement to prevent an arms race in space.
Murty said India considers outer space a shared domain that should benefit all humanity. She emphasised that international cooperation is essential as more countries and organisations develop advanced space technologies and expand their activities beyond Earth.
India’s statement reiterated its preference for a universally acceptable, verifiable and legally binding international instrument on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, known as PAROS. The proposed agreement should be negotiated multilaterally through the Conference on Disarmament.
The statement also stressed that efforts to protect space security must take account of the interests of developing countries and preserve opportunities for peaceful scientific and technological research.
India Calls for a Legally Binding Space Agreement
India’s position at the United Nations reflects continuing international discussions about how to prevent an arms race beyond Earth’s atmosphere. As countries expand their satellite networks, launch capabilities and other space activities, governments are debating the rules needed to reduce security risks and prevent potential conflicts.
Murty said that voluntary guidelines, transparency initiatives and confidence-building measures could contribute to international stability. However, she stressed that these measures should complement rather than replace a legally binding agreement.
A binding international instrument, according to India’s position, should establish a framework acceptable to countries with different space capabilities and security concerns. It should also provide a basis for cooperation while addressing the risks associated with military activities in outer space.
The discussions take place amid differences among countries over which measures should receive priority. Some approaches emphasise voluntary commitments and responsible behaviour, while others call for legally binding restrictions. India has maintained that comprehensive negotiations are necessary to address the issue effectively.
Dual-Use Space Technologies Raise Security Concerns
Murty highlighted the growing importance of technologies and assets that can serve both civilian and military purposes. Such technologies are commonly described as dual-use technologies.
Satellites, for example, support communications, weather forecasting, navigation, disaster management and scientific research. At the same time, certain satellite capabilities can be used for surveillance, military communications and other security-related activities.
The growing overlap between civilian and military applications makes it more difficult to assess the intentions behind particular space activities. Differences in interpretation can lead to misunderstanding, miscalculation and increased tensions between countries.
India therefore called for a comprehensive approach to space security that considers safety, security and long-term sustainability together. Murty said that focusing on only selected threats while overlooking others could be counterproductive.
She also noted the challenges involved in verifying activities in space, particularly when verification depends on access to relevant information and data. International cooperation and clear rules could help reduce uncertainty and build confidence among countries.
India also stressed the importance of respecting the mandates of different international forums working on space security, safety and sustainability. It cautioned against overlapping processes and the creation of multiple standards addressing the same issues.
India Highlights Its Space Achievements
During her address, Murty highlighted India’s progress in space exploration and its plans for future missions. India achieved a major milestone in August 2023 when Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed near the Moon’s south polar region.
The mission demonstrated India’s growing capabilities in spacecraft engineering, navigation and lunar exploration. It also contributed to scientific research and strengthened the country’s position among nations conducting advanced space missions.
India is now preparing for Gaganyaan, its human spaceflight programme. The programme aims to develop the capability to send Indian astronauts into space using an Indian launch vehicle and associated systems.
Human spaceflight requires extensive testing, crew safety systems, launch infrastructure and reliable mission operations. The programme is intended to expand India’s capabilities beyond robotic exploration and support future human space missions.
Murty also referred to India’s plan to establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, a proposed national space station. The project forms part of the country’s longer-term space ambitions and would support scientific research and human activities in orbit if successfully developed and commissioned.
These plans demonstrate the range of India’s interests in space, from scientific research and civilian applications to national security and technological development.
Protecting Scientific Cooperation
India’s statement emphasised that international efforts to regulate space security should not discourage the peaceful exchange of scientific and technological knowledge.
For developing countries, access to space-based services can support agriculture, communications, education, environmental monitoring and disaster response. International cooperation can help expand access to these benefits and encourage the development of new scientific capabilities.
Murty said that the outcome of international negotiations should protect legitimate scientific and technological activities. India’s position is that measures designed to prevent an arms race should not unnecessarily restrict peaceful exploration or cooperation.
The challenge for the international community is to develop arrangements that address security concerns while allowing countries to continue legitimate space activities. Achieving that balance will require sustained diplomatic engagement and agreement on common principles.
International Discussions on Space Security
The United Nations General Assembly First Committee deals with disarmament and international security issues. Its discussions provide a forum for countries to present their positions on preventing conflict, controlling weapons and strengthening international cooperation.
The prevention of an arms race in outer space has been discussed in international forums for many years. However, countries continue to differ over the scope, structure and verification of a potential agreement.
India has reiterated its support for a legally binding instrument negotiated multilaterally at the Conference on Disarmament. It has also expressed openness to universal and non-discriminatory voluntary norms and confidence-building measures as complementary approaches.
The broader objective is to reduce the risk of conflict and ensure that outer space remains accessible for peaceful purposes. Clearer rules, better communication and greater transparency could help countries manage emerging risks as space activities expand.
Murty’s address underlined India’s position that space should remain a shared domain for cooperation and scientific progress. Her remarks also connected India’s growing space capabilities with the need for responsible international governance.
As countries continue to develop new technologies and expand their activities in orbit, the negotiations over space security are likely to remain an important part of the international disarmament agenda. India has called for a comprehensive and legally binding framework that protects security interests without undermining peaceful scientific and technological cooperation.
