India calls satellite 'gift to South Asia', Pakistan says no thanks

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives agree to use it; Pakistan says working on own satellite


Reuters May 05, 2017
India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09) carrying GSAT-9 communications satellite blasts off from the Satish Dhawan space centre at Sriharikota, India May 5, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW DELHI: India launched a communications satellite on Friday for its smaller neighbours to share, part of its efforts to build goodwill in the region and counter Chinese influence, but arch- rival Pakistan said it would stay away from the project.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came to office promising to strengthen ties with neighbours such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and even Pakistan, has called the satellite a gift to south Asia.

"The successful launch of South Asia Satellite is a historic moment. It opens up new horizons of engagement," he said soon after an Indian-made rocket carrying the satellite lifted off from the Sriharikota space centre in southern India.

So far Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have signed up to make use of the satellite. Pakistan said it was working on its own satellite and did not join.

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The South Asia Satellite will offer participating countries television services and communications technology for bank ATMs and e-governance, and may even serve as a backup for cellular networks, especially in places where the terrestrial connectivity is weak, the Indian foreign ministry said.

India is trying to push back against China's expanding involvement in infrastructure building across south Asia, by offering financial and technical aid of its own.

Indo-Pak hotline contact ends in bitterness

Modi said the leaders of the participating countries had joined him in a video conference to mark the launch.

Ties with Pakistan remain difficult, with the Indian government this week accusing Islamabad of killing and then mutilating the bodies of two soldiers patrolling on the Line of Control (LoC), provoking calls for retribution. Pakistan denied the accusation.

COMMENTS (21)

ANJUM | 6 years ago | Reply Really Good decision by Pakistan. I really agree I appreciate my Pakistan Indianan is full of monsters Egos small foolish minded with friendly faces
FAZ | 6 years ago | Reply @Pankaj Kumar: Since we are speaking of Toilets, let me challenge you and any other statistics for that matter. You see, being a Muslim dominated country Pakistan has mosques built almost in every locality. There are mosques in every apartment, every community or housing societies. No mosque is considered complete without a toilet. Cleanliness is mandatory for offering salat. Secondly India is 8 times large in shear size, economy, GDP or everything for that matter. No wonder it should be ahaed of Pakistan. India should compare itself with any BRIC nation for that matter. Why do you guys come here for chest thumping?
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