NEW DELHI: A day after the launch of a Bhutanese satellite by India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his

Mann Ki Baat

address on Sunday, said the “satellite is a testament to our special relationship with the people of Bhutan”. He also commended the department of information technology, Telecom Bhutan and Isro on the successful lift-off of PSLV C54 which carried the India-Bhutan SAT, along with India’s Oceansat-3 and seven other nano satellites from Sriharikota.

“This satellite will send pictures of very good resolution which will help Bhutan in the management of its natural resources. The launching of this satellite is a reflection of the strong Indo-Bhutan relations,” PM Modi said.

Soon after the launch on Saturday, PM Modi had retweeted a tweet from the Prime Minister of Bhutan who forwarded a message from the Bhutan King on the launch of the India-Bhutan SAT.

Lauding the launch, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck had said, “The launch of India-Bhutan satellite today (Saturday) is a historic milestone in the exemplary and enduring friendship between Bhutan and India. The development and launch of the joint satellite marks a new era in the relations between our two nations, extending to the frontiers of space. It is an endeavour, befitting our time, showcasing modern India’s technological and scientific capabilities, and reflecting Bhutan’s aspirations.”

Congratulating India, the King added, “I convey our deepest appreciation to the Government of India and Isro for the support extended to the project from its inception to its realisation and launch. I also congratulate the team and all those who have been involved in this worthwhile endeavour.”

A high-level delegation from Bhutan, led by Lyonpo Karma Donnen Wangdi, minister of information and communications, specially travelled to Sriharikota to witness the launch of the India-Bhutan SAT.

An 18-member media delegation from Bhutan, which is on a weeklong familiarisation visit to India, also witnessed the launch, read a release, adding that India has assisted in the capacity building of Bhutanese engineers through hands-on training at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, on satellite building and testing as well as on processing and analysing satellite data.

Earlier, India had set up a ground earth station in Bhutan to help it use India’s

South Asia satellite

that New Delhi had launched in 2017 for its neighbouring countries. Thimphu is using the ground station for communication, broadcasting and disaster management services.