South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Indian Prime Minister, Natanda Modi, Indian people and the Indian Space Research Organisation as India made history becoming first country to successfully land a lunar module on the south pole of the Moon.
Ramaphosa who celebrated with the country while making his remarks at occasion of the cultural performance and State Banquet of the 15th BRICS Summit on Wednesday, said “Tonight is a night when we have even more reason to celebrate as BRICS partners”.
“A few hours ago this afternoon, India made history as the first country to successfully land a lunar module on the south pole of the Moon. We congratulate Prime Minister Modi, the government and people of India and the Indian Space Research Organisation on the success of the Chandraayan-3 mission”, he said.
Reuter report that an Indian spacecraft became the first to land on the rugged, unexplored south pole of the moon on Wednesday in a mission seen as crucial to lunar exploration and India’s standing as a space power, just days after a similar Russian lander crashed.
“This moment is unforgettable. It is phenomenal. This is a victory cry of a new India,” said the Prime Minister, Modi who waved the Indian flag as he watched the landing from South Africa where he is attending a BRICS summit, as stated by the report.
India joined Russia, United States and China as the only countries to have achieved this feat. More importantly, it’s the first mission of any country to arrive near the Lunar South Pole – a possible location for future Moon bases.
According to the South African President, “We congratulate Prime Minister Modi, the government and people of India and the Indian Space Research Organisation on the success of the Chandraayan-3 mission. Pushing forward the frontiers of scientific endeavour is integral to human progress.
“In anticipation of this great achievement Prime Minister Modi proposed at our BRICS Summit this afternoon that BRICS should set up a Space Exploration Commission where, as BRICS countries, we can share knowledge and experiences.
“The more we learn about this world we live in and beyond, the greater our capacity to improve it and to elevate the human condition. It is a story that reflects the nature and purpose of BRICS, which values partnership and cooperation in a spirit of openness and solidarity.
“As BRICS – and all of Your Excellencies who have joined us tonight from many countries – we will all tomorrow articulate how we will foster change in the world for the benefit of all the peoples of the world”, the President said.