Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful users of outer space.

As per the official statement, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful users of outer space signed on November 19, 2020, by both sides at Bangalore/Thimpu and exchanged.

The statement said, “This MoU shall enable India and Bhutan to pursue cooperation in potential interest areas, such as remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite-based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground systems; and application of space technology.”

“This MoU would lead to setting up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from DOS/ISRO and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) of Bhutan, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementation.”

The signed MoU helps concluding specific Implementing Arrangement on specific areas of cooperation and setting up of Joint Working Group, to work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.

“Cooperation with the Royal Government of Bhutan through this MoU would lead to developing a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity. Thus, all sections and regions of the country will get benefitted,” it stated.

India and Bhutan have been discussing establishing formal space cooperation. A template for Inter-Governmental MoU for Space cooperation was shared with MEA in November 2017 for further taking up with Bhutan. This draft was further discussed along with other cooperative proposals during the bilateral meeting in February 2020.

After a few iterations through diplomatic channels, both sides have arrived at a workable draft of the MoU, and the same was processed for internal approvals. After obtaining the necessary approvals the MoU was signed on November 19, 2020, by both sides and exchanged.

With PIB inputs