SPACE WEAPONS: A RAPIDLY EVOLVING THREAT TO SOUTH ASIAN STRATEGIC BALANCE

Abstract

Debate about probability of outer space militarization and weaponization is getting
traction. International political system is transforming from uni-polarity to the multi- polarity. The United States (US), which had been enjoying the sole super power status, is at
the verge of sharing its power pie with rising China and resurging Russia. Besides Russia and
China, India is also striving hard to secure its place in the world power politics with help of
the US. For achieving the power status at global level, outer space has been in the limelight
for extension and projection of power aspirant states. Outer space militarization and its
subsequent weaponization are being debated. Arms controllers foresee it as a nightmare to
their efforts for bringing peace and stability. India, in this regard is no different which has a
matured space program with an experience of over fifty years. Being one of the major space
faring nation, there are tangible indicators that India would not hesitate to join the club of
states with space weapons capability. Indian probable space weaponization capability would
be detrimental to the deterrence stability in South Asia which houses two nuclear weapons
states with border contiguity. Issue of space weaponization in South Asian context needs to
be pre-empted less it is too late.