NEW DELHI, May 5 -- In its biggest space diplomacy push, Indian launched a South Asia communication satellite on Friday from the spaceport of Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
The State-owned Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) rocket, Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), carrying the 2,230 kg satellite GSAT-9, lifted off from the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 4:57 p.m. local time (1127 GMT).
ISRO, which has built the satellite for use by countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region, said GSAT-9 has been launched with an objective to provide different communication applications in Ku-band with coverage over South Asia.
The satellite was originally named SAARC satellite, but was later changed to South Asia satellite after Pakistan opted out of the project, stating "it has its own space program."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the country's scientists for the successful launch. "We are a united family of South Asian countries, united in our pursuit of peace, progress & prosperity of our region & the entire humankind," he tweeted soon after the launch.
Later joining the five heads of state of SAARC nations -- Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen, Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena -- Modi hailed the launch.
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