(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – The South Asia Satellite, a unique example of South Asian regional cooperation in space sector, was successfully launched today by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Sriharikota.
Following the launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by leaders from South Asian countries participating in the project, including President Maithripala Sirisena, in an unprecedented video-conference held to mark the launch.
“It is an honour to congratulate you on this historic occasion. This initiative (South Asia Satellite) will provide assistance to many priority areas of the region. May this initiative support people in all regions, enhance economic conditions and help to eliminate poverty,” President Sirisena said.
Speaking at this historic occasion, Premier Modi said that the launch of South Asia Satellite marks the fulfilment of India’s commitment and also the beginning of the journey to build the most advanced frontier of our partnership.
He said that the project will touch the lives of the people of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India through regional cooperation in the area of space technology applications in telecommunication 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.
Ambassadors/High Commissioners of the participating countries were also invited to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, to witness the launch.
