Washington, March 30: Denying the reports that it spied on India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test, the United States said it is tracking 250-270 objects of debris in the space generated due to Mission Shakti. The Pentagon said the United States was aware of India's first test-fire of an anti-satellite missile. Aircraft Spots, which monitors military air movements, claimed that the US spied on India's A-SAT missile test by sending a reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to monitor the development.

"No US assets were spying on India. In fact, the US continues to expand its enduring partnership with India, resulting in enhanced interoperability and stronger economic ties," US Defense Department spokesperson Lt Col David W Eastburn told PTI. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell from the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics said he has not looked into the issue of the aircraft, but it is certainly not surprising that the US would fly a sensor aircraft to try and observe the test. US Warns Nations Against Anti-Satellite Missile Test, Says 'Don't Make Mess in Space'.

The Pentagon, however, strongly denied the spying allegation. "It's a relationship so strong that no topic is off limits," Eastburn said. "Both nations enjoy shared principles regarding our respect of sovereignty, free and fair trade, adherence to international norms, and peaceful resolution of disputes," he said. US Strategic Command's Joint Force Space Component Command (JFSCC) said 250 pieces of debris associated with an Indian ASAT launch that occurred on Wednesday are being actively tracked. Need to Address Gaps in International Space Laws, Says Pakistan After India’s A-SAT Test.

"Debris from the event is being actively monitored by the JFSCC, and conjunction notifications are being issued to satellite owners/operators in accordance with standard notification processes through the Department of Defense's public space situational awareness sharing website HYPERLINK "http://www.space-track.org," it said. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday said it kept in mind concerns related to debris in space.

"The test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris. Whatever debris that is generated will decay and fall back onto the earth within weeks," the MEA said. It came out with a 10-point explainer to say the anti-satellite missile test was carried out to verify India's capability to safeguard space assets and that it was not directed against any country. The MEA also said in a statement that India has no intention of entering into an arms race in outer space. (With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 30, 2019 10:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).