Cutting Short The Dragon’s Tail: Indian Satellite Tracker In Bhutan To Pose Stiff Challenge To China’s, In Tibet 

In Bhutan, India will have its satellite tracking and reception centre for data. Since Bhutan lies sandwiched between China and India, it will be a strategic move for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to set up the ground station in Bhutan.

At Ngari, Tibet Autonomous Region, China has build an advanced satellite tracking centre and an astronomical observatory. This is about 125 km away from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Deccan Herald quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying, “Space science is the new dimension of our cooperation (with Bhutan). I am happy that the Ground Station being built by ISRO in Bhutan is soon going to be completed. With this project, Bhutan will get help in tasks such as weather information, telemedicine and disaster relief in far flung areas of the country.”

The South Asia Satellite was launched back in 2017 with India funding the entire project. Although this project will help Bhutan, this will serve as a strategic countermeasure for India to stop the Chinese advance in Tibet by having our own tracking station. China has technology that can not just track satellites, but also blind them.

During the 72-day-long face-off between Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army, China, Bhutan supported India at the Doklam Plateau in 2017.