The chairman of ISRO, S Somnath, inaugurated a new Ground-Earth station for the India-Bhutan satellite in Thimphu on Monday, along with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo Tandi Dorji, Information and Communication Minister Lyonpo Karma Donnen Wangdi, and the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Sudhakar Dalela.
This new facility will benefit the people of Bhutan as it will allow for the assessment of inland water quality, forest and biomass cover, snow and glacier cover, and Bhutan’s geology and hydrology through data collected from BhutanSat.
According to a tweet by the Indian Embassy in Bhutan, the ground-earth station’s inauguration indicates the partnership between India and Bhutan, which was envisioned by Bhutan’s King and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
A meeting was held between a delegation from ISRO, led by Chairman S Somnath, and Bhutanese dignitaries, including Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Dr Tandi Dorji, to discuss ways of enhancing India-Bhutan cooperation in the field of space technology. The delegates examined various methods of strengthening tech ties and reviewed the progress made, including launching the joint satellite of India and Bhutan last year.
The ground-earth station is a significant development for the India-Bhutan partnership as it will enable the countries to cooperate further in emerging areas critical to the 21st century. The satellite data will provide valuable insights into Bhutan’s natural resources and allow informed decisions to manage them sustainably. It will also support the country’s efforts to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals by providing accurate and up-to-date information on vital sectors such as water, forests, and agriculture.
The India-Bhutan partnership has made significant strides in recent years, with the two countries collaborating on several fronts, including space, education, and healthcare. The inauguration of the ground-earth station marks another milestone in the partnership and demonstrates both countries’ commitment to further strengthening their relationship.
India has been a pioneer in space technology, and its expertise has helped many countries develop their space programs. With its unique topography and diverse ecosystems, Bhutan benefits significantly from India’s space technology solutions, which can aid in efficiently managing its natural resources and contribute to its sustainable development.
The cooperation between India and Bhutan in the space sector dates back to 1974, when the first Bhutanese student was trained at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Since then, the two countries have collaborated on several space-related projects, including the launch of the South Asia Satellite in 2017, which provided communication and disaster management services to the South Asian region.
The inauguration of the ground-earth station for the India-Bhutan satellite is a significant development for the India-Bhutan partnership. The satellite data will provide valuable insights into Bhutan’s natural resources and enable informed decisions to manage them sustainably. The cooperation between India and Bhutan in the space sector reflects the close ties between the two countries and their commitment to working together to achieve their common goals.
