India-US discuss ways to enhance cooperation in space

India and US today discussed ways to enhance cooperation in space, including vital security aspects at different international fora.
"There are a number of things which we have been doing over the past two years. We highlighted a number of areas where we worked together on pragmatic cooperation both from a diplomatic point of view but also practical areas of cooperation like Space Situational Awareness," Frank Rose, US Assistant Secretary of State, State Department said.
Indian officials said the talks also revolved around possible cooperation at international fora in New York and Geneva over space activities.
"There was a good exchange of views on cooperation in security and outer space," the official said.

The two sides also discussed the aspect of space debris.
"There could be half-a-million pieces of space debris in the space. It is a big challenge as it makes it difficult to operate in space and can cause collision.

"Access to space services some day could be seriously decreased or may even get lost. To preserve the rights of the all nations, international cooperation is necessary," Rose added.
The second India-US Space Security Dialogue also saw discussion about cooperation in the Conference on Disarmament in Vienna, which is also looking at the aspect of space debris.
"This has been key deliverable of the two summits between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Obama.

The Dialogue is an outcome of a joint statement between Modi and Obama in 2014.