Group Captain Shukla, now the first Indian aboard the ISS, speaks to PM Modi and reflects on India’s grandeur as seen from space.
New Delhi | June 28, 2025 — “India looks grand and bigger from space than it does on a map,” said Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, during a video interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, just two days after creating history as the first Indian astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station.
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says, "Thank you, PM Modi, for your wishes and the wishes of 140 crore Indians. I am fine and safe here. I am… pic.twitter.com/C67rEwz7mY
Launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla docked with the ISS on June 26, alongside three international crewmates. The mission is being led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, with Shukla serving as mission pilot.
A Nation’s Pride in Orbit
PM Modi, clearly moved, told Shukla, “You may be the farthest from Indian soil, but you are the closest to the hearts of its people.” He added, “Even your name carries the word ‘Shubh’ (auspicious), and your journey marks a Shubh Aarambh—a hopeful new beginning—for the youth of our nation.”‘
Responding from orbit, Shukla said, “I stand here representing the excitement, pride, and hopes of every Indian.” He also described his experience of seeing India from space as “incredible,” and added that it gave him a whole new perspective on the country’s vastness and beauty.
From Launchpad to Legacy
The launch, which took place on June 25 from Kennedy Space Center, marked India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. Speaking after liftoff, PM Modi had posted on X:
“Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to becoming the first Indian to go to the ISS. He carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success!”
The mission is expected to last 14 days, with Shukla actively contributing to space research and international collaboration aboard the ISS.
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Shubhanshu Shukla, Indian astronaut, PM Modi, ISS India, Axiom 4, Falcon 9, SpaceX, India in space, ISRO, space mission 2025