Tunisia and India enter agreement for space cooperation

Tunisia and India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space.

Nejmeddine Lakhal, Ambassador of Tunisia to India and Dr B. Bala Bhaskar, Joint Secretary, West Asia & North Africa Division of MEA signed the agreement at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Headquarters in Bengaluru, India.

The MoU will provide a policy framework for both nations to work together closely on joint research, technology and knowledge exchanges, and capacity development.

Commenting on the agreement, Nejmeddine Lakhal, Tunisian Ambassador to India, told Economic Times: “This new promising area of cooperation and partnership between Tunisia and India revealed in the ‘Road Map for Tunisian India future partnership’ signed in October 2017 in Delhi, will include significant activities related to remote sensing of the earth, satellite meteorology; satellite-based navigation, space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems as well as practical application of space technology. It will also open the path for our countries to explore other areas of cooperation in terms of common interest.”

Tunisia established the National Commission of Outer Space in 1984 and the National Centre of Cartography and Remote Sensing in 1988, as part of a plan to coordinate the nation’s outer space programs and improve the uptake of satellite data for national development.

The North African nation joined the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in 2010 and participates in several international and regional forums for the peaceful use of outer space.

The signing of this MoU is part of an extensive policy paradigm in Tunisia towards the adoption of space technologies for security and sustainable development.

In September 2018, India entered into similar bilateral agreements with Algeria, Morocco and the island of Sao Tome and Principe.