South Asia Satellite expanded regional cooperation in space:

Bangladesh and India today expanded their cooperation from land, sea and air to space with the launch of the South Asia Satellite (SAS), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said.
India today successfully launched the satelliteto provide communications and disaster support to neighbouring countries, a space initiative described as a "giant and historic step" in boosting regional cooperation.
"With the launching of South Asia Satellite, Bangladesh and India (in particular) have expanded connectivity from land, water and air to space. I'm sure that cooperation in space will definitely lead us to the ambitious technological enhancement for the benefit of the region," she told Prime Minister Narendra Modi and her six other South Asian counterparts through a video call.

Hasina added: "I strongly believe that the betterment of the people of South Asian region depends on fruitful engagement in various fields of cooperation between the countries of this region".
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal also joined the video conference call from their respective countries.
"We want to cooperate with all countries for creating an area of peace in South Asia where we can live as good neighbours and pursue constructive policies for the benefit of our peoples, as envisioned by our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," Hasina added.

Hasina said Bangladesh and India have jointly achieved many successes in connecting the countries and expressed confidence that launching of the satellite will change the face of South Asia".

"I'm glad that just a few days ago we have signed Orbital Frequency Agreement for cooperation in South Asia Satellite," she said.
India launched GSAT-9 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh
The project is funded entirely by India.
The cuboid-shaped 2,230 kg satellite will enable a full range of services tothe neighbours, including in telecommunication,television, direct-to-home, VSATs, tele-education andtelemedicine. The South Asian Satellite (SAS) mission life is 12 years.

Seven of the eight SAARC countries--India, SriLanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives--are part of the ambitious project. Pakistan has opted out of the project, saying it has itsown space programme.