Scientists had capability for ASAT but previous govt did not let it build: FM Arun Jaitley

Mission Shakti, which was led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, was aimed at strengthening India's overall security, he said

FM Arun Jaitley addressing the media on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space super powers.

Arun Jaitley said: "The process started in 2014 after the PM gave the permission, it's a huge achievement, not only we have become space power but we are now in big four. We should not forget that tomorrow's wars will not be the same as yesterday's wars."

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today tweeted him "happy World Theatre Day" after his address to the nation during which he announced that India had shot down a live satellite using anti-satellite missile technology.

New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the scientists at ISRO had expressed their desire and the capability for ASAT earlier as well but the then government did not authorize them to build it. Jaitley’s comments come after Opposition leaders criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for trying to "take the credit" of the achievement of space scientists in shooting down a live satellite. The finance minister said the process started in 2014 after the PM gave the permission and said the wars in future won’t be similar to how it was fought yesterday.  “It's a huge achievement, not only we have become space power but we are now in big four. We should not forget that tomorrow's wars will not be the same as yesterday's wars. In his surprise address to the nation, the prime minister Wednesday afternoon said India's action was not directed against any country. Shooting down a low earth orbit satellite is a rare achievement for the country, he said. The satellite was orbiting at an altitude of 300 km, he said, describing India as a space power.

Today @narendramodi got himself an hour of free TV & divert nation's attention away from issues on ground — #Unemployment #RuralCrisis & #WomensSecurity — by pointing at the sky.

Congratulations @drdo_india & @isro — this success belongs to you. Thank you for making India safer. — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 27, 2019

Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work.

I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 27, 2019

Mission Shakti, which was led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, was aimed at strengthening India's overall security, he said News channels and social media went into a frenzy after the prime minister had advertised his address to the nation on Twitter, calling it an important message. "Do watch the address on television, radio or social media," he said, setting off speculation across the country on what the topic was likely to be. All speculations were directed towards the vital issue of national security. Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Committee on Security had met at the prime minister's residence.

Published at : 27 Mar 2019 03:18 PM (IST)

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