Technological capabilities can serve both hard power (in military and economic terms), and soft power. This is set to change with the launch of the South Asia satellite by ISRO on May 5. However, diplomatically, the South Asia satellite is significant for three reasons. Along with previous missions such as Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission, the South Asia satellite underscores the strength of Indian indigenous technological development. The South Asia satellite is emblematic of a more confident and assertive India, but it is necessary to ensure that such actions are not one-off.

Source: Indian Express May 03, 2017 18:41 UTC