A rocket carrying the Mars orbiter takes off from Sriharikota. (Press Trust of India)
A Pakistani explorer expected to become her country's first person in space congratulated India on Thursday on reaching Mars on its maiden attempt.
India won the Asian space race to the Red Planet on Wednesday when its unmanned Mangalyaan successfully entered the Red Planet's orbit after a 10-month journey on a budget of just $74 million.
Despite having a space agency since 1961, Pakistan has not yet launched a satellite into orbit.
But Namira Salim, the first Pakistani explorer to reach both poles said India's achievement had made the region proud.
"The success of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Mangalyaan, is a giant leap for South Asia," said Ms Salim, who has booked a ticket on Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space project planned for 2015.
"I commend the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and all its scientists and researchers for not only achieving this astronomical feat, but also for achieving it in the most cost-effective manner."
Pakistan has not yet officially congratulated India.