Title: India’s Moon Landing Heralds its Ambitious Rise on the World Stage
Date: Aug. 23, 2023
Early morning schoolchildren in Mumbai erupted in cheer as India’s Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the moon, marking an important milestone in the country’s space exploration efforts. This achievement reflects India’s diplomatic ambition as a rising global power.
Indian officials have been advocating for a multipolar world order in which India plays a crucial role in shaping global solutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has consistently emphasized India’s ability to lead, not only in space exploration but in various other fields, suggesting that the world will become fairer if India assumes a leadership role.
The assertiveness exhibited by India on the world stage is a central message of Modi’s campaign as he gears up for re-election for a third term in the upcoming year. Modi has skillfully woven his image with India’s economic, diplomatic, and technological growth and sees India’s success as intertwined with his leadership.
Celebrating India’s rich history in the space sector, Modi applauded the scientists behind Chandrayaan-3, stating that the mission carries the hopes and dreams of the nation. India aims to be the fourth country to achieve a successful moon landing, joining the United States, the Soviet Union, and China, while also becoming the first country to do so in the moon’s South Pole region.
India’s foreign policy has been shaped by a delicate balancing act between the United States and Russia, especially with the growing threat from China along its borders. The ongoing military standoff between India and China in the Himalayas has further strengthened the cooperation between India and the United States, including in the field of space exploration, where China is emerging as a formidable competitor. Russia’s recent failed moon landing only highlights its struggles as a space power.
At the same time as India’s moon landing, Modi is attending a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China in South Africa during the BRICS summit. The possibility of bilateral talks between the two leaders has garnered significant attention, following deadly military skirmishes between their countries in 2020.
According to Bharat Karnad, an emeritus professor of national security studies, India’s cost-effective approach to space exploration has made it the preferred choice for many countries to launch their low Earth orbit communications satellites.
The success of Chandrayaan-3 comes at a crucial moment in India’s rise, and Modi can utilize this achievement to confidently assert India’s national interests on the world stage. India’s scientific prowess is garnering international admiration and putting the country on a trajectory towards an influential global role.
As India continues to push boundaries in space exploration, it is poised to make significant contributions to scientific advancements while simultaneously solidifying its position as a leading world power.