India, Aug. 25 -- The BJP on Monday hit back at the Congress for accusing the Modi Government of pursuing an "aggressive privatisation agenda" in the space sector, asserting that India's space programme has expanded from a predominantly Government-led initiative into a growing ecosystem comprising ISRO, private industry and hundreds of startups.

The remarks came after Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh accused the Government of "strangulating and emasculating" the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and pursuing an aggressive privatisation agenda for the space programme just as it has for nuclear energy.

Ramesh claimed recent reports about ISRO's future role in India's space programme raised "legitim...