NISAR: Synergising Technological Excellence and Diplomatic Heft

On March 26, 2023, ISRO,India’s Space Research Organisation, launched a clutch of 32 satellites through one Satellite Launch vehicle(SLV), firmly establishing once again, her capabilities and credentials in the sphere of space technology. Most of these satellites were of other countries. That brings into sharper focus the rationale and reward for using Science and Technology as a potent and effective instrument of diplomacy.Science and Technology diplomacy is not new, but it has never seen such salience. Many of the defining challenges of the 21st century— from climate change and food security, to poverty reduction and nuclear disarmament—have scientific dimensions. No one country will be able to solve these problems on its own. The tools, techniques and tactics of foreign policy need to adapt to a world of increasing scientific and technical complexity and the increasing aspirations of developing world.

An Emerging Technology Power

India is in a very unique and unprecedented position to harness this diplomatic potential.  Her research output, patent application, thrust for innovation, the pool of scientific and technological Human Resource and the government’s commitment to scientific research, offer strong evidence of her strengths and potentials. According to the National Science Foundation’s Science and Engineering Indicators 2020 report, India ranked third in the world in terms of the number of scientific and engineering publications in 2018, behind only China and the United States. India’s patent applications have also been increasing steadily. According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), India ranked tenth in the world in terms of the number of patent applications filed in 2020. And India emerged as an emerging innovation hub, with Indian startups and companies making significant contributions in various fields, including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. In 2021, India was ranked as the third most innovative economy in the world by the Bloomberg Innovation Index.

India has a large pool of highly educated and skilled workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), India had over 2 million STEM graduates in 2016, second only to China. India has been investing heavily in science and technology, with the government’s spending on research and development increasing steadily over the years. According to the National Science Foundation’s Science and Engineering Indicators 2020 report, India’s government spending on research and development increased by an average of 6.3% per year between 2000 and 2017.

STIP – Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

India’s Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2013 was the first instance when an intersection of technology and diplomacy found a place in an official government document. The document states ‘policy framework will enable strategic partnerships and alliances with other nations through bilateral and multilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation. Science diplomacy, technology synergy and acquisition models will be judiciously deployed based on strategic relationships.’ This was further reinforced in the recently released  STIP-2020 draft document. It discusses the role of science and technology (S&T) in reorganising India’s foreign policy priorities and shaping the global system with the country’s science and technology.

The STIP-2020 draft also advocates developing a ‘Proactive Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Diplomacy Strategy’ for India. The proposed strategy addresses crucial global issues including technology, governance standards, ethics and dual-use capabilities. The three main aspects included in the STI Diplomacy Strategy in the STIP-2020 are, 1. India’s membership and its scientific personnel’s participation in S&T-focused strategic multinational groups and consortia. 2. Development of International Knowledge Centres to improve access to human resources. And 3. Expanding the role of current Indian S&T counsellors in other countries and reviewing each one’s role periodically.In pursuance of this strategy, several such alliances have already emerged. A notable example is the International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched in 2015 by India and France  to boost solar energy in developing countries. It is an association of 121 signatory countries of which majorly are sunshine countries (countries lying between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn), and is an excellent example of modern-day science diplomacy.To underscore the emerging importance of this diplomacy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) created in 2020, technically specialised divisions, namely the Cyber Diplomacy division, e-Governance and Information Technology division, and the New Emerging and Strategic Technologies division.

INDO-US Co-operation 

The Indo-US cooperation and collaboration in the field of science and technology has evolved significantly over the years, with both countries working together on a range of projects and initiatives. The collaboration has been driven by a shared interest in advancing scientific research and addressing global challenges such as climate change, energy, healthcare, and agriculture. US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) was launched in 2017 to provide funding and support for joint research and innovation projects in areas such as public health, energy, and agriculture. Another successful example of Indo-US collaboration in science and technology was the establishment of the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) in 2000. The IUSSTF has facilitated hundreds of joint research projects, fellowships, and scientific exchanges between Indian and American researchers and institutions.The Indo-US collaboration in science and technology has also led to stronger economic ties with Indian and American companies working together on research and development projects.The collaboration in science and technology is also likely to impact global issues positively. By working together, India and the United States can combine their expertise, resources, and technology to tackle global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and food security. For example, the US-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center is working on developing new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy. 

NISAR (NASA-ISRO SAR Mission) 

One shining example of this collaboration is NISAR – NASA-ISRO SAR Mission. This joint Synthetic Aperture Radar mission between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aims at launching a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite for Earth observation.

Satellite Aperture Radar(SAR) 

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a type of radar system that uses the motion of the radar antenna over a target region to provide high-resolution images of the terrain or objects on the ground. Instead of relying on a single pulse of radio waves, SAR continuously transmits a series of pulses while the antenna moves, and then uses sophisticated signal processing techniques to combine these signals to create a detailed image.The purpose of SAR is to provide high-quality imaging of the Earth’s surface, which can be used for a variety of applications such as mapping, environmental monitoring, resource management, disaster response, and military reconnaissance.The NISAR mission is designed to provide accurate data on the Earth’s surface, including detailed maps of forest cover, sea ice, and soil moisture. The satellite is expected to be launched in 2023. It will measure Earth’s changing ecosystems, dynamic surfaces, and ice masses providing information about biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise, and groundwater, and will support a host of other applications.NISAR will observe Earth’s land and ice-covered surfaces globally with 12-day regularity on ascending and descending passes, sampling Earth on an average every 6 days for a baseline 3-year mission. It will orbit at an altitude of 747 km at an orbit inclination of 98.4 degree.The mission has strategic importance for military and intelligence agencies because it can be used to detect and track objects on the ground, such as vehicles, ships, and aircraft, even in adverse weather conditions or at night. It can also be used to identify changes in the terrain or infrastructure, which can indicate the presence of military activity or the development of new facilities.

Significance

Several countries produce SAR systems, including the United States, Russia, China, and  many countries of Europe. These systems are primarily used for military and intelligence purposes, but they can also be used for scientific and commercial applications. The specific purposes and capabilities of each country’s SAR systems are not publicly disclosed, as they are considered to be sensitive information.The NISAR mission has significant implications for Indo-US relations. It represents a major milestone in the partnership between the two countries in the field of space exploration and technology. In addition to deepening the scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries, the NISAR mission will help both India and the United States to address global challenges, such as climate change, natural resource management, disaster response, and food security. The data generated by the NISAR mission will be useful for a range of applications, including monitoring crop yields, predicting and responding to natural disasters, and tracking changes in sea ice and coastal ecosystems.It is a major progress in the Indo-US relationship.The mission is expected to bring benefits to both countries and to the world as a whole.

Adding to India’s Diplomatic Heft

From India’s perspective, the NISAR mission and other collaborations in the science and technology field between India and the US are likely to add to her increasing global diplomatic clout. Her scientific and technological capabilities are critical behind her growing standing and   reputation as a global power. India’s successful Mars mission in 2014, which was carried out with indigenous technology, received widespread international recognition and praise. The mission demonstrated India’s scientific and technological prowess, leading to increased global respect and admiration for the country.Beginning with the US-India Joint declaration on Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century in 2015 that US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly announced in 2015, India’s scientific and technological capabilities have  been recognised by international organisations. In 2018, India was elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD), which is responsible for advising the UN General Assembly on science and technology issues. NISAR in many ways is a fine example of a bilateral initiative that is not only technologically complex and sophisticated but one that has an unprecedented potential for enhanced understanding of complex natural phenomena on one hand, and a strategic superiority in tactical defence concerns, on the other.  But more than anything else, It underlines the state priority in pursuing a paradigm push in strengthening her  diplomatic depth, deft and dominance.

(Writer is an IAS officer. Retired as Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting)