Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Indian scientists successfully tested an anti-satellite weapon by destroying a satellite operating in low-earth orbit. The move makes India the fourth country to successfully test anti-satellite weaponry. It also reflects Indian ambitions to become a leading power in space, which is rapidly becoming a key area of concern for countries such as the US, Russia, and China. All three of these countries have anti-satellite capabilities and all three are looking to develop space-based assets for national security purposes.
In addition to testing anti-satellite weapons, India also plans to launch a lunar probe later this year and perform a manned space mission sometime in the early 2020s.
