INDIA PERSPECTIVE

New Delhi watches Artemis II images with the eyes of a country taking notes. The Times of India headlines 'stunning new images' captured from deep space -- but beneath the wonder lies benchmarking. India succeeded with Chandrayaan-3 in 2023, the first landing at the lunar south pole, and prepares Gaganyaan, its first crewed flight. Every Artemis II parameter -- free return trajectory, radio silence protocol, thermal management during flyby -- is data for ISRO engineers in Bangalore. Indian coverage is voluminous and technically detailed, distinguishing it from celebratory or critical coverage elsewhere in the panel. The distance record is mentioned but without American emphasis or Chinese cold politeness -- it is technical fact, a milestone on a road India intends to travel. The detail of far-side photos receives particular emphasis: India knows its own probes have mapped the Moon from orbit, but direct human vision remains a horizon only Americans have reached so far. The unspoken element is the competing Chinese lunar program -- a strategic silence in a country signatory to the Artemis Accords but cultivating non-alignment.