Afghanistan Requests India To launch Exclusive Satellite

Afghanistan has been requested India to launch a special satellite exclusively for Kabul’s use, following the launch of South Asian Satellite by New Delhi three months ago.

The Afghan Ministry of Telecommunications and Technology recently made the request to the Indian government, officials in the Afghan government said.  Afghanistan minister Syed Ahmad Shah Sadat recently met Indian Ambassador Manpreet Vohra in Kabul to make the request, The Economic Times reported Tuesday.

However, it is unclear if Kabul is seeking a dedicated satellite to track terrorist hideouts.

The minister and the Indian envoy discussed opening of a terminal for Afghanistan in the South Asia Satellite, another special satellite and India-assisted small development projects.

In May this year, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had joined other South Asian leaders in welcoming the launch of a South Asian Satellite by India for South Asian nations, calling it a major step in regional cooperation.

India is also planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU), allowing Afghanistan to benefit from South Asia Satellite. Two of the 12 transponders will be provided to Afghanistan, while the satellite will be used in areas of telecommunications, television services, agriculture, mines and other sectors.