New Delhi: In an address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that India has destroyed a live low-orbiting satellite during a missile test that puts the country in the space "super league". PM Modi said India has now became the fourth country after the United States, Russia and China to have carried out the feat. "A while ago our scientists shot down a live satellite at a low-earth orbit," Modi said in a rare televised address to the nation. "This is a proud moment for India," he said, while assuring everyone that the test does not breach any international law or treaties.

Read all the important highlights of PM Modi's speech:

- PM Modi said an indigenously-built anti-satellite missile destroyed a live satellite in 3 minutes.

-India has entered its name as an elite space power. An anti-satellite weapon A-SAT, successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit.

-'Mission Shakti' operation was a difficult target to achieve which was completed successfully within three minutes of launch.

-India has registered herself as a space power today; till now only US, Russia and China have achieved this; now India is the 4th country to achieve this feat: PM

-Today, we have enough satellites that are contributing in various segments such as agriculture, disaster management, communication, weather, navigation etc: PM Modi

-This is a big moment for India. Something that all of us should be proud of. We are not just capable to defend on land, water and air, but now also in space: PM

-I assure the world community that our new prowess is not against anyone: PM

-PM Modi said the A-SAT missile will give new strength to India's space programme. He also assured the international community that India's capability won't be used against anyone but is purely India's defence initiative for its security.

-Mission Shakti is special for 2 reasons -- India is only the fourth country to acquire such a specialised and modern capability, and the 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," PM Modi said in a tweet after his address to the nation.

-PM Modi said the Mission Shakti 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.

-"We're against arms raised in space. This test won't breach any international law or treaties," PM Modi said.

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