Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation at noon on Wednesday and announced that India has officially entered the elite space power club with the successful targeting of a live satellite with an anti-satellite weapon (A-SAT). India is the fourth nation in the world to achieve the feat.

Modi said, "Mission Shakti operation was a difficult target to achieve which was completed successfully within three minutes of launch today."

He announced that a few hours ago, India has successfully taken down a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite at the height of 300 km within just 3 minutes.

#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





With this, PM Modi said India has become the 4th nation in the world after US, Russia and China to have a satellite weapon that can take down enemy satellites.

"This mission of India does not violate any international norms or laws of security. This weapon aims to embolden India's national security and is only a step in ensuring peace," said PM Modi.

He also said that Mission Shakti was not aimed at any country and is only a measure to ensure security.

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

PM Narendra Modi congratulated India on becoming an elite space power and said there cannot be a bigger moment of pride for Indians at this point.

Modi also congratulated all DRDO scientists and all others who helped India achieve this major feat.