PM Modi on Saturday interacted with Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking the first Indian to make it to space in decades. The conversation was broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the PM Modi at 6.30pm.
"Today, you are farthest away from your hometown, your country, but today, you the closest in the hearts of your countrymen," the prime minister said. "Your name carries 'shubh', and your journey is the 'shubh' beginning of a new era."
"At this time, it is only us two speaking, but the thoughts of 140 crore Indians lie with me," PM Modi said during his video conversation with the historic Indian astronaut. "My voice carries the excitement of all Indians."
The prime minister also congratulated Shukla for carrying the Indian flag to the ISS. He also asked the Indian space hero of the situation on the space station and whether all is well on the historic journey so far.
Meanwhile, Shukla informed the prime minister that he is due to commence his work on stem cells on Saturday. "I am going to work on experiment on stem cells today," he said.
""I would like to thank you (PM Modi) and the 140 crore Indians for their wishes. I am extremely fine and safe here. I am extremely glad, and this is a whole new experience. My 400 km journey from the Earth to the orbit is not just my journey, but of the entire country. When I was young, I never felt that I could become an astronaut. However, under your leadership, the country has the opportunity to fulfil its dreams. I am extremely glad to represent my country in here," Shukla said.
During their conversation, Shukla shared his reflections on witnessing Earth from orbit. “A short while ago, when I was looking out of the window, we were flying over Hawaii,” he said. “We see sunrise and sunset 16 times a day from the orbit. Our nation is moving forward at a very great pace.”
"India looks grand and bigger from space than it does on map. You can truly feel the sense of oneness, there are no borders, no lines. It feels as if this entire Earth is our home and we are all its citizens" Shukla added.
Moreover, Shukla spoke on the significance of the Axion-4 mission, especially for India and said: "“This mission is just a beginning for us, for the country, and soon we will have our own space stations. Mindfulness plays a crucial role. We face many stressful situations, but mindfulness helps us stay calm. If you stay calm, then you can take good decisions. So, mindfulness plays a crucial role.”
A successful docking, a historic moment
NASA reported that the spacecraft, SpaceX Dragon capsule Grace , achieved a “soft capture” at 4:01 pm IST over the North Atlantic Ocean, completing the docking sequence by 4:15 pm on Friday. Live footage showed the capsule smoothly approaching the orbiting laboratory before the hatch was opened and the crew floated inside.
“It is a privilege to be among the few who have had the chance to see the Earth from such a vantage point. It’s been a wonderful ride,” Shukla had said in his first remarks after arrival.
Shukla and his three-member crew of the private Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission were greeted with hugs and handshakes by the seven Expedition 73 astronauts already aboard the station. Grinning broadly, he described the view of Earth as surpassing everything he had imagined.
“I am confident the next 14 days will be amazing, advancing science, research, and working with the crew,” he radioed back to mission control.
The Indian Air Force captain is the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma, who spent nearly eight days on the Salyut 7 space station in 1984. The Ax-4 mission aims to conduct scientific experiments and educational outreach during the two-week stay.
"Today, you are farthest away from your hometown, your country, but today, you the closest in the hearts of your countrymen," the prime minister said. "Your name carries 'shubh', and your journey is the 'shubh' beginning of a new era."
"At this time, it is only us two speaking, but the thoughts of 140 crore Indians lie with me," PM Modi said during his video conversation with the historic Indian astronaut. "My voice carries the excitement of all Indians."
The prime minister also congratulated Shukla for carrying the Indian flag to the ISS. He also asked the Indian space hero of the situation on the space station and whether all is well on the historic journey so far.
Meanwhile, Shukla informed the prime minister that he is due to commence his work on stem cells on Saturday. "I am going to work on experiment on stem cells today," he said.
""I would like to thank you (PM Modi) and the 140 crore Indians for their wishes. I am extremely fine and safe here. I am extremely glad, and this is a whole new experience. My 400 km journey from the Earth to the orbit is not just my journey, but of the entire country. When I was young, I never felt that I could become an astronaut. However, under your leadership, the country has the opportunity to fulfil its dreams. I am extremely glad to represent my country in here," Shukla said.
During their conversation, Shukla shared his reflections on witnessing Earth from orbit. “A short while ago, when I was looking out of the window, we were flying over Hawaii,” he said. “We see sunrise and sunset 16 times a day from the orbit. Our nation is moving forward at a very great pace.”
"India looks grand and bigger from space than it does on map. You can truly feel the sense of oneness, there are no borders, no lines. It feels as if this entire Earth is our home and we are all its citizens" Shukla added.
Moreover, Shukla spoke on the significance of the Axion-4 mission, especially for India and said: "“This mission is just a beginning for us, for the country, and soon we will have our own space stations. Mindfulness plays a crucial role. We face many stressful situations, but mindfulness helps us stay calm. If you stay calm, then you can take good decisions. So, mindfulness plays a crucial role.”
#WATCH | During his interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, PM Modi asks him if he had the 'Gajar ka halwa' he took along with him.
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says "Yes, I bought gajar ka halwa, moong dal ka halwa and aam ras. I wanted everyone who has joined me… pic.twitter.com/n6HvhZHN2J
A successful docking, a historic moment
NASA reported that the spacecraft, SpaceX Dragon capsule Grace , achieved a “soft capture” at 4:01 pm IST over the North Atlantic Ocean, completing the docking sequence by 4:15 pm on Friday. Live footage showed the capsule smoothly approaching the orbiting laboratory before the hatch was opened and the crew floated inside.
“It is a privilege to be among the few who have had the chance to see the Earth from such a vantage point. It’s been a wonderful ride,” Shukla had said in his first remarks after arrival.
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 and his three-member crew of the private Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission were greeted with hugs and handshakes by the seven Expedition 73 astronauts already aboard the station. Grinning broadly, he described the view of Earth as surpassing everything he had imagined.
“I am confident the next 14 days will be amazing, advancing science, research, and working with the crew,” he radioed back to mission control.
The Indian Air Force captain is the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma, who spent nearly eight days on the Salyut 7 space station in 1984. The Ax-4 mission aims to conduct scientific experiments and educational outreach during the two-week stay.
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