India’s positioning satellite aims to serve South Asia

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

THIRUVANANTHPURAM: An Indian satellite launched on March 28 will provide positioning services to all South Asian countries.

“SAARC countries can use our navigation system,” B. Jayakumar, director at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram tells SciDev.Net. SAARC members countries included are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

According to Jayakumar, the satellite system will provide standard positioning services to all users while restricted, encrypted services will be accessible to authorised users.

Image credit: Indian Space Research Organisation

This fourth satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS-1D) constellation was launched by India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C27 from a spaceport at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh state.

According to Devi Prasad Karnik, public relations director, Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore, the successful launch and commissioning of the IRNSS-1D would place India in a club of countries that operate their own satellite navigation systems.

The US operates the popular Global Positioning System (GPS) while Russia has the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and China the Beidou Navigation Satellite System. The European Union’s Galileo positioning system is under development.

IRNSS has both commercial and strategic applications. It caters to the needs of civil aviation and also requirements for positioning, navigation and timing based on an independent satellite navigation system.

IRNSS is designed to provide accurate position information service to users extending up to 1,500 kilometres from India’s boundary. The extended service area falls in a rectangle formed by Latitude 30 degree South to 50 degree North and Longitude 30 degrees East to 130 degrees East.

The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, followed by IRNSS-1B in April 2014 and IRNSS-1C in October 2014. The entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites is scheduled to become operational by 2016.

This article has been produced by SciDev.Net's South Asia desk.

Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

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Ali (CA)

Mar 31, 2015 04:35pm

Thanks from Pakistan. Please go more toward such peaceful tech acts. India is a big country and should act like big brother toward peace. Asia without peace is bad for all and it's should be the big brother responsibilities. Peace

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Nikesh

Mar 31, 2015 04:39pm

Great!!! research and development in the field of space technology is far more difficult to achieve than any kind achievements made in weapons...I hope we continue to break into the leagues of US/Europe/China & Russia and be self-reliant in all fields of technology....

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Abrar Nazir

Mar 31, 2015 04:40pm

Thank you Dawn for sharing this unique info with us.

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Harmony

Mar 31, 2015 04:42pm

Good of India to do that. Now 'Love Modi' slogans will surly resonate!

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rich05

Mar 31, 2015 04:42pm

grt will help our neighbours

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Chitvan

Mar 31, 2015 04:44pm

Bravo

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Bhujang Patil

Mar 31, 2015 04:50pm

Am I missing something? IRNSS-1D was launched 3 days ago, and is already in its orbit.

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vijaykumar

Mar 31, 2015 04:57pm

Stale news. Dawn, this is the first time I am seeing an old news in your website

Recommend 0

Abhimanyu

Mar 31, 2015 05:07pm

Must soon lift other 3 satelittes to geo to form excellent comm. System.and extend coverage to whole world and earn money through antrix corporation

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ZAK

Mar 31, 2015 05:10pm

@Harmony surely ------surly on your part.

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satender

Mar 31, 2015 05:18pm

ISRO is for SAARC.

Recommend 0

Mar 31, 2015 05:19pm

Being an Asian, we should be proud... Western can't call us illiterate anymore. No doubt it is to achievement Indian Satellite program but, for SAARC too.

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Anwar

Mar 31, 2015 05:30pm

Satellite technology is definitely have many benefits and it can help Weather forecast,Air Lines, border security forces especially operating in Siachen. This will also enhance many of Indian's security purposes but modern high tech and sophisticated warplanes and missiles are not seen by satellite. India is definitely again initiating space war in this region.

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Anwar

Mar 31, 2015 05:37pm

Cellular companies will also get GPS information at low tariff

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RAHEEL

Mar 31, 2015 05:44pm

when will pakistan launch its gps

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ZAK

Mar 31, 2015 05:49pm

India is trying to beat Pakistan to become a Super Power first.

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raheem

Mar 31, 2015 06:05pm

This will help South East Asian Countries to use technological advancement. 21st Century belongs to Asians. Lets grow grow and make the human life livable...Let every one njoy the fruit of the Asian Treee.

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juzz4fun.nash

Mar 31, 2015 06:19pm

Good news !! Dear Editor - GPS is Global Positioning System, not Satellite.

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wiserneighbour

Mar 31, 2015 06:22pm

@ZAK otherwise Pakistan was poised to become one?

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Raj

Mar 31, 2015 06:24pm

From 5 year, India Empashized rapid growth in research and development project in india. India is expanding maximum money in R & D in various project. With out Technological development, any country cannot develoop and compete on all plateform. India has started to development in drone technology and it may be developed in few year. India has rapid growth in agriculture sector but this sector need more work from goverment.

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shiv

Mar 31, 2015 06:37pm

@RAHEEL Pakistan is using Beidou Navigation Satellite also known as COMPASS.

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Sanjay Guha

Mar 31, 2015 06:50pm

Good they are making it available to people in all SAARC nations. The apps around this will be better than the GPS apps we are getting on smartphones today as this will be more accurate

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Sanjay Guha

Mar 31, 2015 06:51pm

@ZAK Certainly not. We have a long way to go for that. Things like these will provide us self sufficiency.

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Sam

Mar 31, 2015 07:19pm

@ZAK I think you are wrong. Being a big country India's competition is with other big nations. India is positioned at number 10 as per GDP.

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faizan

Mar 31, 2015 07:24pm

pakistan already has the deal with china to use its beidou! we would never use the indian system!

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Girish

Mar 31, 2015 07:34pm

@Zak: Was it a sarcasm?

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Mar 31, 2015 07:36pm

@ZAK Do you still think we need to prove that ?

Recommend 0

Mar 31, 2015 07:48pm

Great News.thanks a lot to ISRO.

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Manu

Mar 31, 2015 07:48pm

@ZAK India never think about Pakistan for competition

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Zak

Mar 31, 2015 08:06pm

@DJ I am impressed by pakistani scientists manning, paksat. Pakistan is developing a new generation with chinese.

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Hitesh

Mar 31, 2015 08:22pm

Look my dear Pakistani friends, India not launching its satellite to proove anything or to show we are ahead of Pakistan, we launch our satellites for our people better life, we have no problem at all if tomorrow pakistan launch its all GPS or any educational or research satellite, infact Pakistan should work towards it rather than wasting public money on nuclear and Missile.

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Rahul

Mar 31, 2015 08:25pm

@ZAK - news flash for you buddy...India has already beaten Pakistan...it's trying to compete against China now...

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someone_else

Mar 31, 2015 08:45pm

@ZAK Is Pakistan even competing? I am not too sure.

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latetotheparty

Mar 31, 2015 09:01pm

late to the party much? GPS, Galelio, GLONASS, BeiDou (COMPASS) already well established across the world. considering 'strong, neighborly and peaceful' relations of India with all its neighbors, I'm sure everyone would love to start using IRNSS. lucky for everyone, there are loads of better options out there for GNSS technologies

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ShahrukhKhan

Mar 31, 2015 09:05pm

Proud to be an Indian. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

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Ankur Verma

Mar 31, 2015 09:17pm

@Bhujang Patil Its a satellite, not an inter planetary mission.

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Rajiv

Mar 31, 2015 09:34pm

@RAHEEL When Pakistan really focusing on Education, Technology and Infrastruture rather than developing N-weapons. Surely it will have its own GPS

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Rahul

Mar 31, 2015 09:50pm

@latetotheparty it's not about being late or first to the party...it's about having our own satellite in place so that we can have better communication quality at lower tariffs...and while you're criticizing India's lateness I'm really curious to know about Pakistan's achievements in the field of outer space...

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Upwala

Mar 31, 2015 09:57pm

Feeling proud to be an Indian

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Tamil

Mar 31, 2015 10:16pm

@Rahul don't bother with China, just try to out do pakistan, if you can.

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Tamil

Mar 31, 2015 10:22pm

As an Indian, we cannot but admire pakistans advancement in technology and missile systems. We are doing same. But our systems will remain seperate, ours based on Russian and pakistans on Chinese systems. We Indians know that unless kashmir is resolved, we cannot work on any joint projects. We wish our government will resolve this soon.

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Ashish

Mar 31, 2015 10:23pm

Being a part of ISRO is proud for me...Next mission are placing a heavy Comm. satellite of UK in may, IRNSS 1E in june/july, IRNSS 1F in Dec, IRNSS 1G in march-may 2015...completing IRNSS program... Aditya 1 for studying solar corona...Chandrayaan 2 (2nd lunar mission of ISRO)....a lot of more....

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Zaffar

Mar 31, 2015 10:39pm

Compass is the only Navigation system that can work Iin Pakistan. Hope Pakistan doesn't use made in India solution.

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Nasir Khan

Mar 31, 2015 10:57pm

@faizan and never will make our own.

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nation lover

Mar 31, 2015 11:07pm

@Zak patsat is manufactured by chinese

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Sunil

Mar 31, 2015 11:14pm

This is my India. I love my India.

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rohit

Mar 31, 2015 11:25pm

This is a regional positioning system, completely under Indian control. So during times of need we don't need to depend on any other government. It will mostly be used by Indian institutions including the Army. And any other interested partly. As it is regional system - covers only some part of Asia, it might be useful to people who require it. Btw, Beidou is also regional system yet and will be in future converted to Global positioning system.

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Sense

Apr 01, 2015 12:08am

@ZAK you amuse me zak

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Jagan

Apr 01, 2015 12:28am

@ZAK ...try to beat??? what world are you living in?

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Pragmatic

Apr 01, 2015 01:25am

If it were not for US's denial to use their GPS system during Kargill war, India wouldn't have developed this system indigenously. Looks like India is getting a few things right. By vision or by chance.

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Sunil

Apr 01, 2015 01:32am

@Tamil Some people dream a lot and say things that are different to reality.

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someone_else

Apr 01, 2015 02:25am

@Tamil I never saw a Pakistani Tamil :). You are very rare Sir.

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Sandip

Apr 01, 2015 03:08am

@Anwar very true! So what do you plan to do about this?

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someone_else

Apr 01, 2015 03:14am

@latetotheparty Its never late to develop something of your own. India would have its own navgation system and wold not have to worry about third party dependence when it comes to military use of the system.

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Manjeet kocchar

Apr 01, 2015 03:49am

@Ali (CA) As a big brother it also needs to pull up recalcitrant younger brother

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Manjeet kocchar

Apr 01, 2015 03:53am

@RAHEEL. China is preparing for it

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Rattan

Apr 01, 2015 04:41am

@Tamil "As an Indian, we cannot but" -As a Tamil what do you see wrong in this sentence?

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Kautiliya

Apr 01, 2015 05:42am

I thought Pakistan was using big brother the Chinese satellite system,am I wrong?

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gar

Apr 01, 2015 05:43am

@ZAK trying? what do u mean?

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brmurr

Apr 01, 2015 05:53am

@Girish Sarcasm? I'm afraid not. He may be out of touch with reality.

Recommend 0

Apr 01, 2015 06:05am

@Rahul I think Pakistan is not focusing on space science (or any serious research I would say) at the moment as it should...the reason is money needs for it is actually going into politicians in form of the corruption. Once they commit to the research or space science, I am not it would be a matter of years to achieve a reasonable standing in R&D and space science.

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Sheryar Khan

Apr 01, 2015 06:27am

Ashamed to be a pakistani.

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Wasif

Apr 01, 2015 06:46am

@ZAK LOL, Pk never had a chance of being one in the first place dude. LMAO, funniest comment ever!

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Ahmer

Apr 01, 2015 06:48am

Nothing comes for free. Who will pay the price? Innocent Kashmiris, of course.

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ZAK

Apr 01, 2015 06:49am

and spy on our enemy.

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PULSE

Apr 01, 2015 07:02am

@Tamil are you a Indian I'm in doubt, don't try to fool.

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Raj

Apr 01, 2015 07:07am

Many of you do not realize the point of having 7 satellites when only 4 are required. By having 7 satellites in space, India can reposition the satellites and expand its coverage to include all regions upto west end of Africa and Europe and east end of China. This will allow India to hit any country, except US, with nuclear missiles. So it is not a regional GPS. It is semi-global.

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PrasadDeccani

Apr 01, 2015 07:25am

@Bhujang Patil IRNSS-1D consists of a constellation of 7 satellites. What was launched 3 days ago was 4th of the 7 satellites.

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PrasadDeccani

Apr 01, 2015 07:27am

@ZAK I don't think you are 'the original' Zak, just a hunch.

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Ammy

Apr 01, 2015 07:52am

This news is a good news for all SAARC region, and it should have been welcomed by people, but some people are so twisted, that they find a reason to bicker by their comments, one of the contributors here is Zak. Dear Zak , be positive, and create positivity around you , you will feel Peace. The Peace will give you help you grow as a person. All the good wishes for your recovery from all Pakistanis and Indians specially ,and from people of other nations like Srilanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Afhganistan, Bangladesh etc. who require such technology , who don't get constipations regularly in their stomach.

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Arun Sasi

Apr 01, 2015 08:10am

@Tamil dey sombaree Tamilan Vanthu muthalile India karan

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Amir Indian

Apr 01, 2015 08:26am

@RAHEEL Pakistan will soon launch its GPS Made in China in 3015

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Amir Indian

Apr 01, 2015 08:36am

@faizan All The Best for slave country of China - Pakistan.

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Amir Indian

Apr 01, 2015 08:38am

@Zak Pakistan was developed everything and is developing everything with China. what Pakistan achieve in past 67 years without IMF, USA, China?

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Babaji ka Thullu

Apr 01, 2015 08:46am

Wow.. India such a superstar for entire region.

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Ahmed

Apr 01, 2015 09:03am

@latetotheparty jealous much?

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the eddy

Apr 01, 2015 09:27am

@Tamil I strongly feel that you are not an Indian & a Tamil

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vvd

Apr 01, 2015 09:29am

India should fully meet its own requirement first before sharing such services with countries like Pakistan.Space research,atomic energy,& cutting edge research in all fields should benefit India & Indians first.

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Diwakar Dubey

Apr 01, 2015 09:46am

@ZAK ha ha ha........... very nice.

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Diwakar Dubey

Apr 01, 2015 09:49am

@ZAK I thought you are mature.......

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anil tiwari

Apr 01, 2015 09:49am

It was PM Mr Modi who decided that all citizens of SAARC nations could access this positioning system Free of Cost.

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chiru

Apr 01, 2015 09:53am

@Tamil ....ur not indian, no one in india cares abt kashmir issue, and india is not depending on russia for technical help. example mangalyaan

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chiru

Apr 01, 2015 09:58am

@Ahmer ......Things doesnot change even if kashmir issue is solved... u hav to overcome poverty, education , internal problems..... problems will not sovle in overnight

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Third Eye

Apr 01, 2015 10:10am

@ZAK India is far Progressive than Pakistan in Science and Tecnology Especially in Advanced in Medical Sector.

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anil kumar rathore

Apr 01, 2015 10:12am

@Ali (CA) well said man its peace all that matters..)

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emmar

Apr 01, 2015 10:15am

This is good for south asia

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dawn reader

Apr 01, 2015 10:30am

spying on neighbors especially on Pakistan

Recommend 0

Javed USA

Apr 01, 2015 10:38am

@ZAK Do you live in a hole?

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Ravi Gupta

Apr 01, 2015 10:59am

@Anwar call it a space race rather than space war :)

Recommend 0

suman

Apr 01, 2015 11:00am

During 1998 kargil war america refused to share positional information through gps in kargil, now we are not dependent on GPS for valuable information.. Congratulations ISRO... Congratulations Indian scientist.!!!

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IMRAN KHAN

Apr 01, 2015 11:09am

Now india is 5th nation to achieve this after USA, russia, china, EU. a so called third world country ,such a huge technological achievement.now WESTERN view changing about this region. ISRO making us proud very frequently .now india should extend greater role in this region. JAI HIND

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prince

Apr 01, 2015 11:12am

Pakistan should use this for good purpose.... and terrorist should not be allow to get access of this system

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Rohit Sharma

Apr 01, 2015 11:32am

@RAHEEL Only China can answer your question.

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white noise

Apr 01, 2015 11:33am

Kudos to India, they are marching ahead ... meanwhile back home, our leaders are too busy positioning themselves to, whatever they can take.

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Jay Patel

Apr 01, 2015 11:55am

India would help all SAARC nation free of cost for weather forecast, early warning for natural disasters and helping them to grow more crop, finding natural resources and this in turn will help to uplift poor people of this region. India is yet again proving why it is called the greatest country on this planet since millions of years. Pakistan is lucky to have such a noble country as a neighbour.

Recommend 0

Apr 01, 2015 11:58am

@ZAK, India in not trying but, India is.

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dragonwoood

Apr 01, 2015 12:10pm

@someone_else Can we have some healthy discussion worth imparting knowledge , rather than this kind of arrogance ?

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dragonwoood

Apr 01, 2015 12:29pm

@white noise no dear Pakistan is doing good .

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amitesh

Apr 01, 2015 12:35pm

This is a big jump for India, Navigation System are such complex system and need money to develop it is not just to launch a satellite or having capability to launch space vehicles. India has done hard work on science and achieved now. next year is Rover mission on Moon and very soon Space walk and then manned mission in 2025 .

Recommend 0

Apr 01, 2015 12:55pm

@dragonwoood in which field please?. Please enlighten us.

Recommend 0

Apr 01, 2015 12:56pm

@faizan than don't. Simple. Chill.

Recommend 0

Apr 01, 2015 12:57pm

@ZAK buddy, let Pakistan first come to the starting line ( as in races)

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Global Citizen

Apr 02, 2015 06:38am

......yes..good....but Pakistan has more nukes. We still win!!!!

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Global Citizen

Apr 02, 2015 06:41am

@ZAK Really?? You seriously believe Pakistan is in the race at all????

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Sanjay Guha

Apr 02, 2015 10:05am

@latetotheparty Maybe. But in times of war, when our military requires precise and granular information GLONASS or GPS won't give it to us. This will help India's defence units.

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Sanjay Guha

Apr 02, 2015 10:09am

@someone_else There were some Tamil Iyer families living in Karachi and Lahore before partition who shifted

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Rajiv

Apr 02, 2015 12:51pm

@latetotheparty clueless chat much? enough said.

Recommend 0

MIKE

Apr 03, 2015 05:57am

@faizan No one is inviting you.

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