Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission-4. During the meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated Shukla on his historic achievement and praised him for representing India on a global platform of space exploration.
Group Captain Shukla highlighted India’s ambitious vision for the future of space science and exploration. He noted that missions such as Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight programme, upcoming space station projects, and future moon missions reflect the scale of India’s aspirations. “It is a big dream—where India leads with self-reliance while also welcoming global participation,” Shukla told the Prime Minister.
PM Modi said Shukla’s achievement would inspire countless young Indians to take interest in science, technology, and space research. He reiterated that India’s space programme has seen significant advancements under the current government, from the success of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 to India’s growing collaborations with international space agencies.
Officials said the interaction also touched upon how India’s scientific community is working to expand research capabilities, promote innovation, and create a strong ecosystem for aerospace industries. Shukla’s journey, they said, symbolises not just an individual accomplishment but the strength of India’s training, talent, and technological progress.
With India preparing to send astronauts into space under the Gaganyaan mission, Shukla’s success at the ISS is seen as a major motivational boost, reinforcing India’s resolve to emerge as a global leader in the new era of space exploration.
