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important platform for discussions on issues concerning space security. The
first GGE on this subject was held two decades back during the period
1991–1993. However, because of lack of any concrete mechanism to take
these suggestions further to a logical conclusion, no major process was
witnessed. The second GGE on the same subject was established in 2011
and submitted its final report on July 29, 2013.This report presents various
methods for improving cooperation and reducing the risks of
misunderstanding and miscommunication in space activities. It specifically
offers concrete, feasible, and practical recommendations with regard to
TCBMs. Point 38 of this report highlights the need for exchange of
information on major military outer space expenditure and other national
security space activities. Here again, a similar question could be asked
regarding the authenticity of any information received (if any) in this regard
and the means to verify them. Overall, it is for CoC to factor in the reality
that the GGE has also made various useful suggestions and presented ideas
on similar lines as that of CoC. The proposed CoC should emerge as a
mechanism which is more specific and a step ahead of GGE. It is important
not to bracket GGE as a complementary effort but aim to grow beyond that.
The basic idea behind establishing any security regime is to design a
normative and legal framework so as to assure 'security'. In the space arena, it
has been observed that, to date, various efforts have not met with much
success. There has been a deadlock in the CD for almost two decades and the
UN efforts including PAROS have remained mostly as non-starters. During
February 2008, China and Russia proposed the Treaty on Prevention of the
Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force
against Outer Space Objects (PPWT) as an international legally-binding
treaty that would outlaw the weaponisation of space. The first draft of this
treaty has some major flaws and it is expected that Russia and China will be
presenting the second draft for discussion shortly. It is important to ensure
that a mechanism like PPWT be seen as a 'continuum' to the process of CoC.
The proposed CoC
should emerge as a
mechanism which is
more specific and a
step ahead of GGE. It
is important not to
bracket GGE as a
complementary effort
but aim to grow
beyond that.
The cornerstone of various UN mechanisms related to arms control and
disarmament issues are generally viewed as the treaties related to the nuclear,
chemical and biological weapons (NPT, CWC and BWC). The process of
formulation of these mechanisms has been difficult and time consuming but
the end result has been reasonable with regard to NPT and the significant
success of CWC. However, the limitations of BWC are evident because of
the lack of verification protocol. The biggest limitation of the present draft
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