India has docked two satellites in space to become the fourth nation in the world to achieve the mission in an ambitious milestone in the country’s expansion of space technology.

Only the US, Russia and China have previously docked in space. The expertise is critical for advanced missions.

India docked two satellites in space Thursday, a key milestone for the country's dreams of a space station and a manned moon mission, the space agency said.

India on Thursday became the fourth country to successfully achieve an unmanned docking in space, a feat seen as pivotal for future missions as New Delhi cements its place as a global space power.

"Congratulations to our scientists at ISRO and the entire space fraternity for the successful demonstration of space docking of satellites. It is a significant stepping stone for India’s ambitious space missions in the years to come," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.

India became the world's fourth nation to achieve the feat of space docking, a technological milestone that underscores its ambitions to expand its share of a rapidly growing $400-billion global space market.

The Indian Space Research Organization successfully conducted an unmanned docking in space, making India the fourth country to complete the maneuver.

The spacecraft were blasted off from Sriharikota launch pad in southern India on 30 December on a single rocket. Once airborne, they separated. The docking process, initially scheduled for 7 January,

India became the world's fourth nation on Thursday to achieve the feat of space docking, a technological milestone that underscores its ambitions to expand its share of a rapidly growing $400-billion global space market.