How is ISRO's visit to Mauritius enhancing space cooperation?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ISRO's visit marked a significant step in bilateral cooperation.
- Technical sessions were held with MRIC for satellite development.
- Collaborative efforts include training for Mauritian scientists.
- Focus on disaster preparedness through weather and climate systems.
- Agreement to explore new avenues in space and climate change.
Port Louis, Nov 10 (NationPress) In a pivotal move to enhance bilateral relations, a team from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) visited Mauritius for three days, participating in the India-Mauritius Joint Satellite initiative.
The Indian High Commission in Port Louis reported that the delegation engaged in technical discussions with the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) and convened the 4th Joint Working Group meeting focused on the satellite project.
A half-day collaborative workshop on the Joint Satellite was also held, attended by Mauritian Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Kaviraj Sukon, Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Mauritius, Aparna Ganesan, and other dignitaries.
In March, during a visit to Mauritius, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in extensive discussions with his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam, covering a wide range of bilateral issues.
The leaders acknowledged that ongoing space collaboration has greatly benefited both nations and underscores India’s commitment to its close ties with Mauritius. Prime Minister Ramgoolam expressed gratitude to the Government of India for its support in developing a satellite for Mauritius, describing this partnership as a testament to India’s steadfast support for Mauritius’ development journey.
To further strengthen cooperation in the space sector, both leaders decided to collaborate closely on the successful development and launch of the India-Mauritius satellite, including essential training for Mauritian scientists at ISRO. They also pledged to support the implementation of weather and climate forecasting systems, Wave Rider Buoys, and a Multi-hazard Emergency System in Mauritius, aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and response.
The leaders agreed to renew the collaboration between ISRO and MRIC regarding the ISRO Telemetry and Tracking Centre in Mauritius while also exploring new opportunities in space and climate change to meet Mauritius’ needs, alongside capacity-building support.
Furthermore, they decided to advance the Indian Government's proposal for a development partnership project focused on utilizing an Earth Observation Application and an interactive computing framework to enable Mauritius to effectively monitor extreme weather events and assess climate impacts. This project will be executed by ISRO and the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), under the QUAD framework.