Explained: What is Mission Shakti and why it is important for India

Mission Shakti: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address on Wednesday, announced the success of Mission Shakti and revealed that India has become the fourth country, after US, China and Russia, with the capability to destroy a low-orbit satellite and thus establish itself as a space power. The prime minister said that a team of scientists accomplished this feat within a span of 3 minutes and added that it is a proud moment for Indians. PM Modi said that India has become 4th nation in the world to destroy a Low Earth Orbit Satellite in space after USA, China and Russia. As part of the mission, India successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile on 27th March, 2019. 

''#MissionShakti was a highly complex one, conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision. It shows the remarkable dexterity of India’s outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme," the prime minister said during his speech. 

"Today is 27th March. A while ago, India achieved a historic feat. India today registered itself as a space power. Till now, 3 countries of the world- America, Russia, & China had this achievement. India is the 4th country to have achieved this feat," he added. PM Modi said that Mission Shakti is an important step towards securing India’s safety, economic growth and technological advancement.

Also read this tweet by PM Modi:

#MissionShakti is special for 2 reasons:
(1) India is only the 4th country to acquire such a specialised & modern capability.
(2) Entire effort is indigenous.
India stands tall as a space power!
It will make India stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 27, 2019

Sandip Somany, President, FICCI, in his reaction, said that 'Mission Shakti' demonstrated India’s capabilities to shoot a satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) based on state-of-the-art capabilities which were indigenously developed. He added that the emergence of India as a major defence and space power while keeping in place its commitments to non-proliferation of weapons in space and not against any nation, speaks volumes of its stature as a responsible world power in the comity of nations.

Explaining the importance of Mision Shakti, PM said, "#MissionShakti is special for 2 reasons: (1) India is only the 4th country to acquire such a specialised & modern capability. (2) Entire effort is indigenous.  India stands tall as a space power! It will make India stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony.''

Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) are created to destroy or incapacitate satellites. ASAT was tested by the US in 1958, the USSR followed in 1964 and China in 2007. In 2015, Russia tested its PL-19 Nudol missile and followed it up with other tests.

Also read this tweet by PM Modi:

#MissionShakti was a highly complex one, conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision. It shows the remarkable dexterity of India’s outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 27, 2019

PM Modi has ensured that the weapon won't be used against anyone and has been properly designed to boost India's space programme.

"A-SAT missile will give new strength to India’s space prog. I assure the international community that our capability won’t be used against anyone but is purely India’s defence initiative for its security. We are against arms raised in space. This test won’t breach any international law or treaties," he said.