Title: India’s Chandrayaan-3 Moon Landing Reflects Ambitious Rise as a Global Power
Date: Aug. 23, 2023
Schoolchildren in Mumbai cheer as Chandrayaan-3 marks a successful landing on the Moon, showcasing India’s growing prowess in space exploration.
India’s space achievements mirror the country’s diplomatic push to establish itself as an ambitious global power. Indian officials have been actively advocating for a multipolar world order, with New Delhi positioned as indispensable in offering global solutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has consistently emphasized that India’s leadership role across various domains will contribute to a fairer world, while addressing the basic needs of its population.
This assertiveness on the world stage serves as a central campaign message for Prime Minister Modi, who is seeking re-election for a third term next year. He frequently aligns his image with India’s rapid economic, diplomatic, and technological growth.
After the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon last month, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to Indian scientists, highlighting India’s rich history in the space sector. He added, “This remarkable mission will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation.”
India aims to become the fourth nation after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China to achieve a moon landing, and the first to do so in the moon’s South Pole region.
India’s foreign policy has long been influenced by a delicate balancing act between the United States and Russia, particularly in response to an increasingly assertive China on its borders. The ongoing standoff between Indian and Chinese military forces in the Himalayas has further underscored India’s need to adapt to emerging threats.
The mutual concern regarding China has strengthened cooperation between the United States and India, including in the field of space exploration, where China has emerged as a direct competitor. Russia’s recent failure in attempting a moon landing serves as the latest indication of Moscow’s struggles as a space power.
As India embarks on its moon landing mission, Prime Minister Modi is attending a meeting of the BRICS group in South Africa. Much attention will be focused on whether he will engage in bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping of China, marking the first official discussion since the deadly military clashes between their two countries in 2020.
Bharat Karnad, an emeritus professor of national security studies, commended India’s cost-effective approach to space exploration, making it a preferred choice for launching low Earth orbit communications satellites for many nations. He added that the potential success of Chandrayaan-3 comes at a crucial moment in India’s rise, providing Prime Minister Modi with an opportunity to assert Indian national interests confidently on the global stage.
India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission exemplifies the nation’s increasing scientific prowess and showcases its determination to be recognized as a significant global power capable of contributing to the betterment of humanity.