A team of Indian scientists met with His Excellency the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau at Government House today.
India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Vinod Kumar led the five member team to Government House to meet with Fiji’s Head of State.
“We have a team of scientist from the India’s International Space Research Organisation and other agencies from Indian in connection with monitoring of a space mission that we are going to launch at the end of this month,” High Commissioner Kumar said.
He added that the mission is an important one because it will be India’s first ever orbit mission to planet Mars.
“This will be Indian’s first ever Mars orbit mission and for that, some monitoring of stages of the launch will be required from the Pacific,” Mr Kumar said.
He said 2 ships will be deployed to the Pacific and woks are taking place in Suva and once those are complete, the ships will be sailing to these specified destination points for the monitoring of the mission.
“We choose Fiji because of its location is ideal, being a communication hub and our close and friendly relations,” Mr Kumar said.
Mr Kumar commended the Fijian Government for the support provided towards this mission.
“At the moment there are 18 scientists that are here. We are very thankful to Government and the people of Fiji for their support in carrying the required task,” he said.
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