New Delhi, March 27: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made an announcement of India successfully launching an anti-satellite (A-Sat) weapon. After the announcement, former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Vijay Kumar Saraswat said that talks on A-Sat missile were presented during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, but it didn't get a positive response. 2010 to 2019: India's Journey From Building ASAT Weapon to Becoming Space Power And DRDO's '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 a positive response (from UPA), so we didn't go ahead, " Saraswat told to news agency ANI. What is Low Earth Orbit and Anti-Satellite Weapon? Know About India's 'Mission Shakti' and List of Super Elite Space Power Countries.

Tweet by ANI:

Former DRDO chief added when the same proposal by Dr Satheesh Reddy and NSA Ajit Doval was but before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he allowed them to carry out the operations. "When the proposal 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," he said.

He also added that if the UPA government had given clearance in 2012-13, the A-Sat missile would have launched in 2014-15. India Becomes Elite Space Power With Successful 'Mission Shakti' Test, Indian A-SAT Missile Shoots Down Low Earth Orbit Live Satellite in Space.

Meanwhile, Indian National Congress President Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, congratulated DRDO for the achievement while targeting PM Narendra Modi. "Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work. I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 27, 2019 05:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).