South Asian Leaders Join Modi To Celebrate ISRO’s Successful Launch, Pakistan Cornered

Heads of Governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (5 May) to celebrate the successful launch of the South Asia Communication Satellite.

Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter soon after the successful launch of the GSAT-9 and informed about the joint address.

Prime Minister Modi in his recent radio address to the nation, 'Mann Ki Baat', said the South Asia Satellite is India's gift to the region and will go a long way in addressing the economic and development priorities of the countries here.

Six of India's neighbours – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives – are participating in the space-based regional communication project.

However, Pakistan refused to take part in the programme, saying that it has an indigenous space programme. But the country still lacks basic launch and satellite construction facilities and uses China’s launch station.

The move to bring together heads of six South Asian nations is also being seen as India’s diplomatic manoeuvre to corner Pakistan.