PM flays technology denial regimes

Asserting the country's commitment to international co-operation in scientific exploration of outer space, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today came down heavily on "international technology denial regimes".

"These denials are misplaced and anachronistic," he said unveiling a bust of Satish Dhawan, a pioneer in India's space research, at the Shar centre here.

Praising the country's space programmes, Singh said it was a matter of pride that denial of technology by the international community did not impede India's scientific efforts.

"In fact, they have spurred you to greater heights. I am proud to note that among 16 satellites recently launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), only four have been from other countries. We have proven to the world that India is a leader in advanced technology," he said.

Praising the ISRO for indigenously developing an array of sensitive and advanced technologies while maintaining an unblemished record as far as non-proliferation was concerned, Singh said, "Records deserve greater recognition within India and abroad."

Singh said he looked forward to the successful launch of Chandrayaan-I, India's unmanned moon mission, using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

"This will enable the country's scientific community to embark upon more ambitious plans of exploring the universe. The implementation of the programmes will add to the international profile of the Indian space community," the Prime Minister said.

Besides Chandrayaan, Singh said, other Indian space programmes were now eliciting positive response from international partners.

The future evolution of nations and economies would be determined not only by possession of technology but also in its effective application to meet the developmental needs, he said.

"We must continuously aim at the stars if we are to succeed in meeting our ambitious national goals on the ground," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said the driving force of the country's space programme was achieving self-reliance in space research and in the application of space technology for national development.

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, ISRO Satellite Centre in Bangalore and the Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad strove continuously to achieve this goal, Singh said adding they were all justly recognised internationally as centres of excellence.

Pointing out that a world-class propellant plant was being set up by the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota to meet the demands of the next generation launch vehicle, he asked scientists to gear up to achieve low-cost access to space through innovative space transportation systems without compromising on excellence.