ISRO, Sriharikota: The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) successfully launched the 450-crore GSAT-9 or the South Asia Communication Satellite at ISRO, Sriharikota today. The satellite is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gift to six SAARC nations - India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. "We extend our close links into Outer Space," said PM Modi in his speech addressing the leaders of the six beneficiary nations via video conference. "Space technology will touch the lives of our people in the region," he added.

This is the 11th mission for the 50-meter tall rocket, which entered service in 2001. Inside the flying saucer-shaped control room of the Indian Space Research Organization or ISRO, the atmosphere is tense. Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO built the 2,230-kg satellite over three years at a cost of Rs. 235 crore. Its mission life is 12 years. The overall project costs over Rs. 450 crore.