Isro to launch Bhutan’s satellite next year, train its space engineers: Modi

NEW DELHI: In a bid to build space infrastructure of India’s friendly neighbours under the ‘Act East’ Policy, PM Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the country will launch a satellite for Bhutan next year and train its space engineers for the purpose.
In a virtual address to Bhutanese leaders, Modi said, “Work is going on a fast track in Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to send a Bhutan satellite to space next year. For this purpose, four brilliant space engineers of Bhutan will go to Isro (centre) in December for training.”
“India has always been using space technology for development purpose. Last year, I had inaugurated a satellite ground station in Bhutan (set up with Isro’s technical assistance). With the help of this station, Bhutan is able to effectively access the South Asia Satellite (launched on May 5, 2017 by India for Saarc nations) for TV broadcast and disaster management,” he said.
The PM also disclosed that the two countries on Thursday signed a framework agreement to encourage cooperation in the peaceful usage of outer space. The pact will also boost cooperation between different agencies of both the countries. He used the occasion to also talk about drastic changes ushered in the space sector in the country, saying India opened its space sector for private enterprises recently that would give a boost to capacity-building, innovation and skills.
Though India has launched 328 foreign satellites till now, this will be the first time the country will be launching a full-fledged satellite for its long-time friend and neighbour Bhutan in its continuous effort to promote ‘Act East Policy’. Under the South Asia Satellite or Gsat-9 project, India continues to provide Bhutan and other friendly Saarc countries, except Pakistan, free satellite services for DTH and VSATs, tele-education, tele-medicine and disaster management purposes.
“I know that the Bhutan king gives importance to the use of space technology for the development of his country and shows personal interest in promoting such technologies. To fufil his vision, India is ready to share its experience and expertise in the space sector and give access of its space technology to Bhutan,” Modi told the Bhutanese audience.
Bhutan is yet to develop the capability to launch its own satellites and that is the reason its first satellite BHUTAN-1 (a nano satellite) was launched in 2018 by US private satellite launcher SpaceX.
During the virtual meet, Modi, along with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering, also launched RuPay card phase-II that will allow card holders from Bhutan to access the RuPay network in India. The PM said, “India supports setting up of an ITC-enabled knowledge-based society, and welcomes a third international internet gateway in Bhutan with the help of an agreement with BSNL”. Amid the Covid pandemic, he also assured Bhutan “all help in these tough times”.