South Asia Satellite , also known as GSAT-9 , is a geostationary communications and meteorology satellite operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ( SAARC ) region . The satellite was launched on the 5th May , 2017 . During the 18th SAARC summit held in Nepal in 2014 , Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mooted the idea of a satellite serving the needs of SAARC member nations as a part of his Neighbourhood first policy . Afghanistan , Bangladesh , Bhutan , Maldives , Nepal and Sri Lanka are the users of the multi-dimensional facilities provided by the satellite
18th SAARC summit
18th SAARC summit
South Asia Satellite