India marks successful launch of South Asia Satellite

The South Asia Satellite – designed to boost regional cooperation in the area of space technology applications in telecommunication and broadcasting – has been successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Program (ISRP).

The South Asia Satellite – launched last Friday – is years in the making and is designed to boost regional cooperation in space technology applications in telecommunications and broadcasting, tele-medicine, tele-education, e-governance, banking/ ATM services, cellular back-haul, meteorological data transmission, disaster response and networking of academic and research institutions among SAARC countries.

The satellite will benefit the SAARC countries; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India.

Prime Minister of India - Narendra Modi, President of Afghanistan -Ashraf Ghani, Prime Minister of Bangladesh - Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bhutan - Tshering Tobgay, President of Maldives - Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Prime Minister of Nepal - Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda”, and President of Sri Lanka - Maithripala Sirisena all conferred via video conferencing after the launch.

During the video conference, PM Modi said the launch marked the fulfilment of India's commitment to boost regional cooperation, and marked the beginning of the journey to build the most advanced frontier of the regional partnership.

Speaking during the video conference, President Yameen said expressed his firm belief the satellite will improve lives of the people of South Asia in the areas of telecommunication, telemedicine, tele-education, mapping of natural resources and disaster management support.

He also expressed Maldives’ commitment towards betterment and prosperity of the region by working together with all South Asian neighbors towards the greater good of all.

“It is my sincere hope that we be able to put aside our differences, and work together as an organization that can fulfil our hopes and aspirations,” said President Yameen.

All SAARC countries except for Pakistan have participated in the project.

Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Nafees Zakaria reported that Pakistan had initially been keen on participating in the project. He said Pakistan had wanted to work together will all member countries on the project, but that India has denied them the opportunity.

"However, as India was not willing to develop the project on a collaborative basis, it was not possible for Pakistan to support it as a regional project under the umbrella of SAARC," said Nafeez Zakaria.