This Article is From Nov 14, 2014

SAARC Satellite Services to Cover Myanmar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

SAARC Satellite Services to Cover Myanmar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on during the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Myanmar. (Agence France-Presse)

Nai Pyi Taw: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that the services of a SAARC satellite that he had proposed earlier this year will be extended to Myanmar as well.

"Now, I want to announce that this satellite and all its benefits will be given to Myanmar," Mr Modi said at a community reception hosted by the Indian diaspora here at the end of his three-day visit to Myanmar.

"This will be beneficial, among others, in health, telemedicine, and long distance education," he said.

In June this year, after the successful launch of the PSLV C23 rocket, Mr Modi had asked the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to develop a satellite that would serve all the SAARC nations.

In Thursday's function, he also spoke of his government's "Make in India" mission.

"The whole world is now seeing India through a changed eye. They are looking at ways to reach out to us," Mr Modi said at the community reception.

"We have started the 'Make in India' initiative and we want everyone to come and look at the opportunities that India has to offer," Mr Modi said.

Not just the Indian government, the Indian diaspora is also being is being looked with special eyes by the entire world, according to him.

"This is something that has to be maintained and enhanced. You must work in the country of your adoption and also for yourselves," he said.

Lauding the Indian diaspora, he said: "I would like to praise the discipline I have observed among you and I will remember this."

He also hailed the Myanmar government for the way it hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the East Asia Summit for which he had come to this country.

"Over three days, I met several leaders of the world. I congratulate the Myanmar government for the way it handled the entire event," the prime minister said.

Earlier in the day, Mr Modi had a series of meetings beginning with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, followed by those with Philippines President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

He also had a brief interaction with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The prime minister also addressed the 9th East Asia Summit.
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