New York: A new joint space venture was launched by the I2U2 group — a forum of the US, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India — Friday, on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
The project, which will use space-based observation data and capabilities of the four I2U2 partner countries, aims to create a unique space-based tool for policymakers, institutions, and entrepreneurs, enabling their work on environmental and climate change challenges and furthering their cooperation in the applications of space data for the greater good of humanity, said a joint statement by the member nations.
Established in 2021, the I2U2 aims to strengthen technological and private sector cooperation in six key areas — water, energy, transportation, space, health and food security. The forum also serves as a platform to discuss strategic infrastructure projects in the Middle East as a counter to China’s increasing influence in the region.
ThePrint had earlier reported that the idea of the ‘India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor’, which was launched earlier this month, was conceived in this forum.
This infrastructure plan — which brought together India, the US, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the European Union (EU), Italy, France and Germany — seeks to reshape the trade route between the Gulf, Europe and South Asia, connecting them by rail and sea links.
The US, Israel, the UAE and India are all also part of the Artemis Accords, according to the group’s joint statement. India signed these Accords in June, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US.
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Promoting space cooperating in international sphere
The Artemis Accords are a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-led initiative for peaceful, sustainable and transparent cooperation in space, according to the US Department of State.
While the Accords have 10 principles — ranging from peaceful exploration of space to development of interoperable and common exploration infrastructure and standards — these are not legally binding.
The Accords were launched on 13 October, 2020, with eight founding members — Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, UAE, the UK and the US. Currently, the group has 29 members after Nigeria and Rwanda became the first African countries to join the group earlier this month. India was the 27th country to join this grouping.
After a successful lunar landing of Vikram Lander on 23 August as part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India has been promoting space cooperation in the international sphere.
At the BRICS Leaders’ summit in Johannesburg last month, Modi proposed a ‘BRICS Space Exploration Consortium’, where member nations — Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa along with India — can collaborate on areas of global significance, such as space research and weather monitoring.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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