The thing was on its way to the Moon already by that time. The mission has been a long time making, it's pretty disrespectful to the effort of all the scientists to limit it to just distraction from Kashmir. Especially since it isn't as if showing an interest in space is a first for Modi.

Modi’s been in power for years. This is an initiative started while he was in office.

My point isn’t that it’s a distraction, but that it’s also about building party power. Kashmir is just the brightest, clearest signal regarding the goals of his administration.

Edit: While the push to complete it came in 2015, it was (see poster below) in the works as far back as 2007, and I was mistaken to think it’s directly attributable to Modi.

Chandrayaan 2 was approved in 2008 by the UPA government of Manmohan Singh. The mission was planned for 2012-13, with Russia to provide the lander. Russian delays forced ISRO to start development on its own lander in 2015.

It's just lazy to lay every action at Modi's feet.

Reading a lot of nytimes or bbc editorial these days? Do you have any idea about the history of Kashmir and how it is infested with Pakistan trained terrorists.?

And there has been no terrorism in Kashmir since decades, right?

The existence of terrorism gives you the right to invade?

Invade? Please for god sake read about India and Kashmir first before you reveal your ignorance here. Kashmir has a complex history. It was ALWAYS part of India but governed under a certain constitutional provision. The Indian Govt just revoked that provision.

I’m aware of the history of the region. Maybe erupting in fury about whether or not the armed occupation is an invasion isn’t the most productive debate.