Indo-Israel Strategic Partnership in Indian Ocean and Outer Space: A Need for Regional Counter-Balancing Approach

Abstract

Indian space exploration has entered a new phase with the formation of the Indian Defence Space Agency (DSA) in 2018 and the procurement of anti-satellite capabilities in 2019. These two incentives prompted India to join the United States, Russia, and China in militarizing outer space. In a similar fashion, Israel conducted an ASAT test of the Arrow-3 missile interceptor aimed at the exo-atmosphere. While both India and Israel have described their outer space ambitions as removing debris from the lower orbit, the constant use of their military arsenals demonstrates their common goal of obtaining the upper hand over their respective rivals, Pakistan, China, and Iran. Prospects for their partnership in outer space are highly contingent on their cooperation in other defence domains, especially maritime security. For India, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is of utmost importance due to China's growing presence, whereas for Israel, the IOR represents a vital trade route that may be at risk due to the development of ports in Pakistan (Gwadar) and Iran (Chahbahar), through which these nations could acquire the means to expand their naval presence. Therefore, while space development complements geo-sensing, particularly in oceans, the interests of both India and Israel in space and IOR enhance the likelihood of their cooperation in these sectors. This paper evaluates how Pakistan, Iran, and China could form a trilateral alliance to counter the emerging US-supported Indo-Israeli nexus in IOR and outer space.