India has become the first country to successfully land a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan in the southern polar region of the moon. The achievement was part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and adds to the country’s previous achievements in space exploration. The successful landing comes at a crucial time for India as it pursues a leadership role in global solutions and seeks to assert itself on the world stage. The mission also reflects the ambitions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government as it aims to showcase India’s rise as an economic, diplomatic, and technological power.
India’s space program has already garnered significant attention and pride from the Indian public for its accomplishments, which include orbiting the moon and Mars, and launching satellites with limited resources compared to other space-faring nations. The success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, however, holds special significance as it demonstrates India’s ability to reach the lunar south polar region, a feat that has never been achieved before. Only three other countries have successfully landed on the moon’s surface.
The achievements in space exploration align with India’s broader diplomatic push to position itself as an ambitious and indispensable power on the world stage. Prime Minister Modi has been advocating for a multipolar world order where India plays a central role in finding global solutions. The success of the moon mission reinforces India’s message that the world would be a fairer place with India’s leadership. This assertiveness on the world stage is a central campaign message for Modi as he seeks reelection for a third term early next year.
The timing of the Chandrayaan-3 landing also coincided with Modi’s trip to South Africa for the BRICS summit, a group of nations that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Despite being physically absent from mission control, Modi’s face was beamed into the control room during the critical moments of the landing, symbolizing India’s diplomatic ambitions and its rise as a global power.
India’s achievements in space have also been fueled by its rivalry with neighboring China and its aim to counter China’s aggressive stance. Both countries have been engaged in a military standoff in the Himalayas, further driving India’s determination to assert its capabilities and protect its national interests. The success of Chandrayaan-3 sends a strong message that India is capable of achieving exceptional feats even in the face of such challenges.
The lunar south pole holds significant scientific value as it contains frozen water at the bottom of shadowed craters. The discovery and extraction of water in these regions could potentially support future space exploration and sustain human presence on the moon. India’s landing in this region further positions the country for collaboration with NASA’s Artemis program and Chinese and Russian missions targeted at the lunar south pole. Furthermore, India’s private sector has also been making significant strides in the space industry, inspired by the likes of SpaceX. With a burgeoning private space economy and a younger generation of space engineers, India’s role in space exploration is set to expand even further.
In the wake of the Chandrayaan-3 success, India continues to have ambitious plans for space exploration. The country is preparing for its first astronaut mission, Gaganyaan, which aims to send three Indian astronauts into space. India is also working on launching a solar observatory called Aditya-L1 and an Earth observation satellite jointly with NASA. Moreover, India is planning a follow-up to its Mars orbiter mission and is even considering future missions to Venus and other planets. With its cost-effective missions and groundbreaking achievements, India is on track to assert itself as a major player in space exploration.
