The Union Cabinet chaired by the
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh on cooperation in the
peaceful uses of outer space. The MoU was signed at New Delhi in April,
2017.
This
MoU shall enable the areas of cooperation such as, space science, technology
and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication
and satellite based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of
spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space
technology.
The
MoU would lead to set up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from Department
of Space/ Indian Space Research Organisation (DOS/ISRO), and the Bangladesh
Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC), which will further work out the plan of
action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.
It
will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application
possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite
communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer
space.
Financing
of works carried out under this MoU shall be provided by the respective
executive organisation with due consideration of national norms and rules
concerning budgetary regulations in force in their respective States and within
the limits of available resources. Joint
projects and works carried out under this MoU depending on the type and field
of activity shall be on non-commercial or commercial basis and shall be
executed either without mutual payments or on the basis of compensatory
arrangements or contracts.
The MoU would lead to develop 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 benefited.
Background:
India and Bangladesh have expressed
interest to cooperate with each other in the area of space. Accordingly, a
template of framework MoU for space cooperation was provided to Indian High
Commission to Bangladesh & MEA in August 2016 for further processing at Government
level, for which Bangladesh side has given its concurrence in December 2016.
Accordingly, an MoU between India and Bangladesh on cooperation in the peaceful
uses of outer space, signed at New Delhi on April 08, 2017.
***
AKT/SH