PM Modi Congratulates Shubhanshu Shukla On Historic ISS Journey, Shares 'Gajar ka Halwa' Moment | WATCH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently became the first Indian astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS) and the second Indian to journey into space, marking a significant milestone for India.

PM Modi Interacts With Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Photo: X/PMO)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with a warm touch with Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla today, who had just made history as the first Indian astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS) and the second Indian to venture into space.

While interacting via video link, Prime Minister Modi warmly congratulated Group Captain Shukla on "hoisting the Tricolour in space," informing him, "Though you are away from our motherland, you are the nearest to the Indians' hearts." The Prime Minister's words reflected the excitement of 140 crore Indians as he wished success to Shukla and spoke of the good fortune of his name and journey as an "auspicious beginning of a new era" for the country's youth.

I had a wonderful conversation with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he shared his experiences from the International Space Station. Watch the special interaction! https://t.co/MoMR5ozRRA

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 28, 2025

It was a light-hearted interaction when PM Modi asked Group Captain Shukla if he had come to the ISS with 'Gajar ka halwa' (carrot dessert) among his items. Shukla replied affirmatively, and that besides 'moong dal ka halwa' and 'aam ras,' the other astronauts from other countries on the ISS shared the "rich Indian culinary" with him.

Group Captain Rakesh Shukla, who is a member of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew, docked successfully with the ISS on Thursday, June 26, 2025, aboard Dragon spacecraft. His mission is a remarkable milestone for India's human spaceflight program, 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic flight in 1984.

Earlier, after the successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission, Prime Minister Modi had stated that Group Captain Shukla had the hopes, aspirations, and wishes of 1.4 billion Indians with him.

Looking back at his experience, Group Captain Shukla called the lift-off "magical." Having spent 30 days in quarantine, the experience of lift-off was one of the greatest feats of feeling pressed back and then the swift silence and "magical" floating in space's vacuum. He conveyed deep appreciation for the mission crew, pointing out that his achievement was a "collective achievement."

When he arrived on board the ISS, Group Captain Shukla expressed his "privilege" to be the 634th human to be in space and the first Indian in the orbiting laboratory. He called the Earth view from that perspective "wonderful" and, upon being presented with his official astronaut pin by Ax-4 Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, said, "I am no 634, that's a privilege."

He sent a message to his nation, saying, "It is due to your love and the Tricolour I have on my shoulder makes me feel like the whole country is with me." The astronauts will be staying aboard the ISS for a period of around two weeks, performing a variety of scientific experiments, outreach, and commercial activities, with Group Captain Shukla heading some of these experiments important for India's Gaganyaan program.