Need for Space Law in India and A Critical Appraisal of the Indian Space Policy, 2023

Book Title: Legal and Policy Regime of Outer Space and Global Governance

Editor:  Dr. Ananya Rahul Bibave

ISBN:  978-81-979197-2-5

Chapter: 5

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59646/lpc5/257

Author: Dr. Padmaja Kathikar, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Vishwakarma University, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Abstract

India is rapidly moving forward in space programs and space technologies.  The gainful Indian space programs have fascinated other nations to arrive into official pacts with India. India being party to all space UN treaties except Moon Treaty it has obligation to implement all the objectives of the treaties, specifically treaties which are related to control over space related activities within country, registration and liability of private industries through public and private law.  Thus, there enacting domestic law was urgent need for India to address legal issues such as registration, regulation, control, IOR, transfer of property, insurance, ownership, contract and other space related issues. Considering the involvement of private sector in space related activities which may accelerate the legal issues India needs a legal frame work dealing with private activities both by Indian companies and foreign entities in outer space. This paper is dedicated to explore the legal challenges for the space industry of India which India may face in near future due to the absence of legal mechanism. Author will critically analyse the Space Policy, 2023 and highlight the need to have space law for India in order to encash the opportunities in space domain in near future. In order to continue the growth trajectory in space industry, it is required to have an efficient legal framework. With this perspective, author will also analyse the international treaties which are currently governing the outer space regime of the world and its impact on India.

Keywords: Space Law, Space policy, international conventions, commercialization, Indian Constitution.

References

  1. https://www.unoosa.org/pdf/publications/STSPACE11E.pdf (Last visited February 2, 2024)
  2. https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXIV1&chapter=24&Temp=mtdsg3&clang=_en (Last visited February 2, 2024)
  3. Ibid
  4. https://www.isro.gov.in/ (last visited on February 10, 2024)
  5. Supra N. 5
  6. Monica Shaurya Gohil, Need For Comprehensive And Robust Indian Space Laws, ILI Law Review, Summer Issue 2021, available at- https://ili.ac.in/pdf/3.pdf (last visited on February 11, 2024)
  7. https://www.studyiq.com/articles/india-space-policy/ (last visited on February 10, 2024)
  8. Supra N. 2
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  10. https://sarinlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Space-Law-Review-2nd-Edition-2020-India-Chapter.pdf (last visited on February 10, 2024)