Pakistan to participate in SAARC satellite project meeting: ISRO

The SAARC countries, including Pakistan, will participate in the ambitious SAARC satellite project conceived by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, top official said on Tuesday.

When asked if Pakistan was giving a cold shoulder to the project, the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) AS Kiran Kumar said, "That is not strictly correct. We have on 22nd (June) a meeting in Delhi, where all these seven SAARC countries will participate." "There is a one day programme of familiarising them with what are the things that are possible and how to go forward. This discussion is on and we are told that all of them are participating," Kiran Kumar said.

After the successful launch of PSLV C-23 last year, Modi had called for a greater collaboration among the SAARC countries and launch of a common satellite for the region.

It was also seen as a move to counter China in South Asia, as its space agency has been involved in launching satellites of several other countries. Following Modi's call, formal proposals were sent to all the SAARC countries.

There were reports that Pakistan was not much enthusiastic about the project.