Soon after taking the reins of the country in May 2014, PM Narendra Modi had asked India's space scientists to develop a Saarc satellite. Now after three years, the satellite is ready and will be launched on Friday, May 5. It is renamed 'South Asia Satellite' after  Pakistan opted out of the project citing security reasons.

 The communications satellite (Gsat-9) which is developed by ISRO at a cost of  Rs 450 crore will be India's gift to its neighbours. The satellite which will encompass South Asia, will enable a full range of applications and services in the areas of telecommunications and broadcasting.

In his radio address 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, Modi said that his slogan 'sabka saath sabka vikas' also extended to India's neighbours. He said the satellite would address the region's economic and development priorities. Naming the countries Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka who have agreed to be part of this mission, Modi emphasized the need for cooperation and development among our neighbours.

Afghanistan is still to ink the deal as some technical problems have to be fixed. The PM said that this satellite will prove to be a boon in the progress of the entire region as it gives  services in natural resources mapping, tele-medicine, the field of education, deeper IT connectivity and will also foster people-to-people contact