The collaboration highlights the growing role of space technology in diplomacy.

• Munal Satellite is an indigenous satellite developed in Nepal that aims to build a vegetation density database of the Earth’s surface.
• The satellite will use NewSpace India Limited’s (NSIL) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.

About Space Diplomacy

• It involves leveraging space science and technology to achieve foreign policy goals and strengthen national space capabilities.

Significance for space diplomacy for India

• Global south cooperation: India is investing in building resources and building consensus on common space tech for space exploration. E.g., South Asia Satellite Project.
• National Security: E.g., The India-US space situational awareness agreement can provide access to the U.S. radar and sensor network to mitigate risk to India's space assets.
• International cooperation and Capacity building: to utilise space resources for the expanding population.
  • E.g., UNispace Nanosatellite Assembly & Training by ISRO’ (UNNATI) makes an effort to educate Foreign Engineers/Scientists  in space sciences.
• Conflict free space: India is committed to using outer space for peaceful purposes and keeping it conflict-free.
• Challenges: Lack of private participation, few missions for deep space exploration, lack of multilateral space partnerships, etc.