Bangladesh, Sept. 26 -- Moreover, according to a GIS analysis, the continent possesses substantial technological capability but struggles to turn it into coherent strategic power amid internal divisions.

Space is becoming another geopolitical frontier, much as the deep sea and continental shelf have been. Control over communications, navigation, reconnaissance and future lunar infrastructure all translates into power.

Europe therefore finds itself between two major space powers, the United States and China - with Russia remaining a significant space actor.

If complete autarky is unrealistic, the more promising path is pragmatic multi-alignment.

India already offers a concrete opening: ESA and ISRO recently extended cooperation through...