Defence Minister expected to discuss satellite launch during visit to India

Indian newspaper the Hindustan Times has reported that the Indian government is interested in assisting the Maldives to launch and operate its first satellite in orbit.

Defence Minister Colonel (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim is expected to discuss the satellite launch, apart from other defence cooperation initiatives with his Indian counterparts during his visits New Delhi on the 15th and 16th of this month.

Communication Authority of Maldives (CAM) called for proposals for the manufacture, launch, and commercial operations of a satellite, with January 31, 2013 as the last date for submission. CAM has since extended the deadline for the bid, which was initially opened on the 17th of December 2012.

Hindustan Times writes that Nazim is also believed to have discussed the satellite launch with Chinese space companies during an earlier visit to China.