PM Modi address Highlights: ASAT could have launched during UPA-II had they shown interest, says Former DRDO chief VK Sarawat

: "I would like to congratulate Prime MinisterModifor having a political will to take such a decision and implement it within a short time."

"When Chinese did this kind of experiment, there was a lot of uproar from the international community as they polluted the entire space but here we have taken a wise decision to have a satellite made by ISRO and demonstrated that we can kill live satellite using our own anti-satellite system," he said.

Former ISRO ScientistNambinNarayanantold ANI:"It is a complex technology, which is difficult to achieve. We have the ability to destroy an enemy satellite. If you are powerful, then you have a status in the world whether you like it or not."

​– ANI

Dr VK Saraswat on Mission Shakti: We made presentations to National Security Adviser and National Security Council, when such discussions were held, they were heard by all concerned, unfortunately, we didn't get positive response (from UPA), so we didn't go ahead.

"When theproposal was put up by Dr Satheesh Reddy & NSA Ajit Doval to PM Modi, he had the courage & based on that he gave a go ahead. If the clearances were given in 2012-13, I'm quite certain that the launch would have happened in 2014-15," he added.

It's a political announcement, scientists should have announced it, it's their credit. Only one satellite was destroyed, that wasn't necessary, it was lying there since long, it's the prerogative of scientists, when to do it. We will complain to the EC.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its scientists for the success of 'Mission Shakti'.
Praising the DRDO and its scientists associated with "Mission Shakti", Kumar expressed happiness on India becoming the fourth country in the world to join the exclusive club of space super powers after the US, Russia and China, an official release said. (PTI)

Here we are talking about national security and on the other side the opposition parties are saying that why it was not done after the election: FM ArunJaitley

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: FM Arun Jaitley

With such strength, not only India's power will increase but our capacity to keep peace in this region will also increase: FM ArunJaitley

The space sector that has been successful today is the result of India's efforts. All its things were researched and produced in India itself: FM Arun Jaitley

It was a long time ago that our scientists had a desire and they said that "we have this ability but the government of that time did not allow us to do this": FM Arun Jaitley

Today is a historic day for the country. Especially for scientists, who today achieved the capability that only 3 countries in the world had so far: FMArun Jaitley

Ministry of External Affairs on A-SAT: Test is not directed against any country. India’s space capabilities do not threaten any country nor are they directed against anyone. At the same time, government is committed to ensuring country’s national security interests and is alert to threats from emerging technologies.

Former DRDO chief and NITI Aayog member Dr VK Saraswat to ANI: This is a fantastic capability to have and it gives us a deterrence in case our adversaries try to militarise the space or try to prevent us from using our existing space capabilities.

Congratulations to all the scientists for carrying out ‘Mission Shakti’ successfully. India is moving fast towards becoming a world leader and under PM Modi's leadership, it is on its way to not only become a 'super economic power', but also a 'super science power': Union Minister NitinGadkaritold ANI