Saudi youth delegation participating in Saudi-Indian Youth Forum, currently in progress in India, visited Indian Space Research Organization here yesterday. The delegation was received by Director of the Organization's Planning and Development Group R. S. Bhattaya and senior officials. In reply to a question on cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of India, Bhattaya said, "There are international relations in space programs; there is also the beginning of a collaboration between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Indian Space Research Organization; and there have been discussions between the two sides for the development of cooperation in joint scientific programs." He briefed the Saudi youth delegation that India has launched 65 satellites for various tasks and launched and manufactured satellites for a number of countries. The Indian official noted that their future ambition includes landing in Mars planet, noting that India has succeeded in sending a spacecraft to the Moon in November, 2008, thus it has become the fourth country in the world reaching the moon. He pointed out that as many as 13,000 employees are working in Indian space program including 80% of scientists and specialists, and the rest are from support sectors.
