• Space diplomacy has touched new heights with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unique gift in the sky to South Asian neighbours.

• The gift of a communications satellite for use by neighbours at no cost has perhaps no precedent worldwide.

• The satellite, which weighs over 2 tonnes, has been fabricated in three years at a cost of over Rs. 230 crore.

• Its footprint that extends all over South Asia.

• The South Asia Satellite has 12 Ku band transponders which India's neighbours can utilise to increase communications.

• Each country will get access to at least one transponder through which they could beam their own programming.

• The satellite will facilitate DTH television, VSAT links, tele-education, telemedicine and disaster management support. It will provide critical communication links in times of disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and tsunamis.

• Heads of Government from all the seven South Asian nations who are benefiting from the satellite, connected via video conference, in a unique celebration of the successful launch.

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AKT/SH