Pak gives cold response to SAARC satellite project

Pakistan's 'cold response' to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious SAARC satellite project has prompted India to go ahead with consultations with other member states of the regional grouping without Islamabad's participation. "All SAARC countries have responded positively to the proposal, but Pakistan. Everyone else has responded. It (Pakistan) said that their internal consultation process was still on," said a senior government official, noting that the government will go ahead with consultation process with other member countries.

"A meeting with the member countries will be held later this month," ISRO chairman A S <g data-gr-id="19">Kirankumar</g> told a news agency. After the successful launch of PSLV C-23, along with foreign satellites from Sriharikota last year, Modi had called for a greater cohesion between the SAARC nations and having a satellite for the region. 

 It was also seen as a move to counter China in S 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 countries involved.  After initial responses have been received, ISRO and representatives from SAARC countries will sit together later this month to discuss the nitty-gritty of the project, sources said.