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.
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.