Space Cooperation as a Diplomatic Tool: Prospects for Pakistan

Abstract

The interest, of states around the world, to acquire space technologies has amplified enormously. As the amount of investment and sophistication of technology grew in space sector, every state, large or small, has its stake to participate in space activities. With the distinct characteristics of space environment / security and its dual use application, space systems provide unique opportunity for cooperation and competition in the international system. School of thoughts such as social interactionism and global institutionalism strengthen the idea to explore the prospects for cooperation among different countries in areas like space technology cooperation. This paper seeks to identify and explain the patterns of international collaboration in this regard with past experiences. It also tries to establish connection between space cooperation and seeking objectives of foreign policy of a state; for instance, the US and EU countries’ collaboration during the Cold War. The study also assesses how space technology collaboration, when used as a diplomatic tool, strengthened the relations between countries. Finally, it evaluates the future prospects for Pakistan’s space cooperation with regional states as well as with international space powers.