well allow me to retort, having science projects trying to answer some of the biggest un-answered scientific questions would help with the following: 1. Retention of Talent: would enable physists to stay in india rather than immigrate elsewhere. 2. Boosts Economy: Expenditure as salary stays within the country and can help boost economy. 3. Innovation : innovation in advanced fields of physicts/space exploration can help develop new consumer technologies. 3. would enable governments to get international fame/credibility and quite possibly a seat at the big boy table.
Now you might wonder is this worth it, well I believe its worth spending a fraction of the GDP to fund such projects. Its not like all the funding given to such projects can solve the various poverty related problems the country faces.