ISRO to take Modi's foreign policy efforts to space with SAARC Satellite

The PM has envisaged the South Asia Satellite as a 'gift' to increase regional cooperation

On May 5, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will attempt to launch the GSLV F09 mission. It will be the ninth flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and the fourth consecutive with the indigenous cryogenic engine powering the upper stage. The rocket will be carrying the GSAT-9 communications satellite and an electric propulsion system.

GSAT-9 will be strategically more important than the other GSATs because it is the one called the South Asia Satellite (SAS). The idea behind SAS was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2014 after talks with SAARC country leaders right after