In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted how the launch is a testimony to India’s growing space capabilities and the partnership between ISRO and the Indian industry.

Bhardwaj’s detention comes days after he triggered a political row over his alleged role in the June 23 incident at Jantar Mantar in a podcast. He has been accused of assaulting Sanjay Kumar, the father of a student who was participating in a protest over alleged examination paper leaks.

The action comes after the pilot tested “non-negative” for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test, according to a preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) earlier in the day.