After the successful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-23 carrying a payload of five satellites into orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota by the Indian Space Research Organization ISRO, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set out a proposal for a satellite to be developed and tasked exclusively for operation in Southern Asia. The aim of such a satellite would be to strengthen the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
ISRO’s successful launch of payloads developed in France, Germany, Singapore and Canada was seen as a “global endorsement of India’s space capabilities,” as the Prime Minister stressed, and consequently suggested the development of a SAARC satellite, which would be used to support disaster management and sustainable development in the region. "We would dedicate this satellite to our neighborhood as India’s gift… We should share the fruit of this with our neighboring countries,” said Narendra Modi as he was congratulating the scientists behind the launch.
India has gained attention as a player in the multi-billion dollar space industry and has successfully launched 35 foreign satellites into orbit to date.
