Satellite for SAARC from India

From left: Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies Deputy Director General (Technical) Kamani Ediriweera, Ministry of Higher Education and Research Director of Development Himali Athaudage, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka Senior Consultant Dr. Arosha Fernando, Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies Unit Head Saraj Gunasekera and Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies Director General and CEO Sanath Panawennage (not present in the photo) participated for the conference on behalf of Sri Lanka

Addressing the inaugural session of the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal in November last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country is ready to develop a satellite specifically for the region by 2016 and regional collaboration in space technology must be enhanced to achieve sustainable development in South Asia where India will host a conference for all South Asian partners to strengthen the abilities to apply space technology to economic development and governance. 

Accordingly the planned conference was successfully held with the participation of eight SAARC countries Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on 22 June in New Delhi, India under the title of ‘Satellite for SAARC region and Space Technology Applications’. 

To date, only two SAARC countries India and Pakistan have sent satellites to the space where several other countries are trying to follow. The proposed SAARC satellite as a gift from India to the neighbouring SAARC countries is expected to bring much benefits to the SAARC countries along with its prime objective of further strengthening the relationship amongst SAARC countries and a deeper integration of the region.