… PM Modi Interacts with Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Aboard ISS
News Desk : In a historic moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video interaction with Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. This marks the first time an Indian astronaut has reached the ISS, nearly four decades after Rakesh Sharma’s legendary spaceflight.
During the video conference, PM Modi congratulated Shukla and lauded the achievement as a new chapter in India’s space odyssey. “Aapke naam mein bhi ‘shubh’ hai, aur aapki yatra naye yug ka shubh aarambh bhi hai,” the Prime Minister said, calling the journey an “auspicious beginning” for India’s youth and space aspirations.
“You are far from the motherland, but closest to the hearts of 1.4 billion Indians,” Modi added, sharing his excitement and pride on behalf of the entire nation.
In response, an emotional Shukla described his view from the space station. “Just a while ago, I saw sunrise over Hawaii from our window. We see sunrise and sunset 16 times a day. Everything feels different here. From space, India looks much grander than it appears on any map,” he shared, reflecting on the surreal experience of orbiting Earth.
The Prime Minister’s Office also shared a snapshot of their interaction on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “PM @narendramodi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station.”
PM @narendramodi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station. pic.twitter.com/Q37HqvUwCd
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 28, 2025
Shukla, a 40-year-old fighter pilot from Uttar Pradesh with over 15 years of service in the Indian Air Force, is the mission pilot for Axiom-4. The mission, jointly conducted by India, the U.S., Poland, and Hungary, was launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. He is joined by mission commander Peggy Whitson (USA), and specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
Recalling his inspiration, Shukla said, “I grew up reading about Rakesh Sharma and his incredible journey to space in 1984. That planted the seed of this dream.”
The selection for the mission came unexpectedly. “Just a week before we reached Axiom, I was told I would be flying. It was overwhelming and deeply humbling,” he added.
Prime Minister Modi had earlier applauded the multinational success of the Axiom-4 launch, stating that Shukla “carries with him the hopes and dreams of 1.4 billion Indians.”
With this historic feat, Shukla not only reignites India’s manned space legacy but also inspires the next generation of space explorers.
