Pakistan seeks more details before nod to SAARC satellite by India

23 July, New Delhi

Pakistan has desired more discussions on the proposal of launch of one South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) satellite by India for the member countries, before it gives its consent, the Rajya Sabha was informed Thursday.

The proposed satellite, which will have its footprint on Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka geographies, will provide a full range of applications and services in the areas of telecom and broadcasting, Minister for Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh said in a written reply.

These services would include Television, Direct-to-Home (DTH), Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT), Tele-education, Telemedicine and Disaster Management Support.

Total cost of the SAARC satellite is estimated at Rs 235 crore. The launch cost will be met by India. Delegates from SAARC countries had attended a one-day conference on ‘Satellite for SAARC Region and Space Technology Applications’ in New Delhi on June 22 to discuss the proposal.

The response of all the SAARC nations to the proposal has been encouraging. Pakistan while welcoming the initiative raised some queries on technical and operational aspects. Pakistan desired further discussions before giving its consent, he added.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to provide space based systems for SAARC member nations. It has proposed to build a satellite for the region with 12 Ku-band transponders and launch it using Geostationary Launch Vehicle GSLV Mk-II.