New Delhi, Jun 28, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as the dawn of a new era in India’s space journey, calling it the symbolic first step toward Mission Gaganyaan and India’s future ambitions, including building its own space station and landing an Indian on the Moon.
In a historic 18-minute video interaction, Modi spoke to Shukla, who is currently aboard the ISS, orbiting Earth at an altitude of 400 km. As the conversation concluded, the Prime Minister chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” a slogan echoed back by Shukla, reverberating across the space station.
“Shubhanshu, today you are farthest from the land of India, but closest to the heart of every Indian,” the Prime Minister said, playing on the astronaut’s name, which contains ‘Shubh’ (meaning auspicious), and noting the symbolic significance of his mission.
Calling the journey an auspicious beginning for India’s human spaceflight era, Modi said, “This is not just your journey, it is India’s journey — one that inspires, unites, and defines our aspirations for Viksit Bharat (Developed India).”
“Not Just My Mission, It’s India’s”: Shukla
Responding from orbit, Shukla described his experience in microgravity as transformational.
“Everything here is different — from sleeping to eating — because there is no gravity. We trained for a year, but adapting in real time is a different experience,” he said, adding that the ISS circles Earth 16 times a day, offering a stunning view of 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets daily.
Reflecting on seeing India from space, Shukla said:
“When I saw India for the first time from space, it looked much larger and grander than on the map. Up here, there are no borders, no divisions — just one Earth, and one humanity.”
Shukla is part of the Axiom-4 mission, a commercial spaceflight carrying four astronauts for a 14-day stay on the ISS. During this mission, they will conduct various scientific experiments and technology demonstrations.
The Lucknow-born astronaut also shared a lighter moment with the Prime Minister, revealing he carried Gajar ka Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa, and Aam Ras, which his international crewmates thoroughly enjoyed.
PM Modi Lays Out India’s Future Space Vision
Modi reiterated India’s long-term goals in space exploration:
“We must take Mission Gaganyaan forward, build our own space station, and one day see an Indian astronaut land on the Moon. Your experiences will guide and strengthen these ambitions.”
He thanked Shukla for inspiring the youth of the nation, adding, “Your mission will ignite the dreams of countless young Indians who look to the sky with hope and ambition. It has been a pleasure speaking with you.”
As Shukla continues his groundbreaking mission, the Prime Minister’s words and India’s presence on the ISS mark a transformational moment in the nation’s space history, signaling a confident stride toward becoming a global space power.
