New Delhi, July 26 -- During the conflict in the Persian Gulf in March, leading commercial satellite imagery providers, particularly those in the United States space sector, put many international clients in a difficult position.

The majority of these satellites were allocated for imagery tasks requested by the United States Department of War, as required for the tactical operations of the US armed forces. It became evident that when commercial imagery providers serve both civilian and military clients globally during periods of war and conflict, they tend to prioritise the interests of their resident countries while ignoring the exigencies of many in the Global South.

The Global South is susceptible to conflict; its defence forces are ...