'Farthest From India But Closest To Our Hearts': PM Modi Tells Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
Shubhanshu Shukla created history on Wednesday by embarking on a journey to the International Space Station as part of a mission by Axiom Space.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian aboard the International Space Station. He extended his heartiest congratulations to the Group Captain on hoisting the tricolour in space, saying, "You are farthest from India but closest to the hearts of its people".
Calling his journey to space the start of a new era, PM Modi said: "At this time, only the two of us are talking, but the feelings of 140 crore Indians are also with me. My voice contains the enthusiasm and excitement of all Indians. I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting our flag in Space."
The Prime Minister further asked him about his health and well-being. To this, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla replied that he was fine and safe and went on to share his experiences from the ISS.
"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," he said.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station.
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025
PM Modi says "At this time only the two of us are talking, but the feelings of 140 crore Indians are also with me. My voice contains the… pic.twitter.com/OcOupbKVIz
India Looks Very Grand
Shukla further shared his experience in space, saying that India looks "very grand" and much bigger than what it seems on the map.
"The first view was of the Earth and after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought and the first thing that came to mind was that the Earth looks completely one, no border is visible from outside. When we saw India for the first time, we saw that India really looks very grand, looks very big, much bigger than what we see on the map," Shukla said.
"When we see the Earth from outside, it seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist. We all are part of humanity, and the Earth is our one home, and all of us are in it," he added.
#WATCH | Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says "...When we saw India for the first time, we saw that India looks very grand, very big, much bigger than what we see on the map... When we see the Earth from outside, it seems that no border exists, no state exists, and no countries… pic.twitter.com/iVOBPmkHIP
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025
"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 added.
Shukla scripted history on Wednesday by embarking on a journey to the ISS as part of a mission by Axiom Space, along with three other astronauts. This marks the first space journey by an Indian astronaut in 41 years since Rakesh Sharma flew aboard a Russian spacecraft.
Shukla Took Gajar Ka Halwa, Aamras To Space
PM Modi then asked Shukla about whether he shared the 'gajar ka halwa' he had taken with him to space with his fellow astronauts. The astronaut replied: "Yes, Hon’ble Prime Minister. I brought a few traditional Indian food items with me, such as gajar ka halwa, moong dal halwa, and aamras. I wanted my fellow astronauts from other countries to taste and experience the richness of India's culinary heritage."
#WATCH | During his interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, PM Modi asks him about his first thought after reaching Space
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says "The first view was of the Earth and after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought and the first… pic.twitter.com/0QojpnTYMc
During his interaction with Shukla, PM Modi also asked him about the conditions in space and how he is adapting to it.
To this he replied: "Everything is different here. We trained for a year and I learnt about different systems...but after coming here, everything changed...Here, even small things are different because there is no gravity in space...Sleeping here is a big challenge...It takes some time to get used to this environment."
#WATCH | During his interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, PM Modi asks him about the conditions in space and how he is adapting to it.
— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2025
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla says, "Everything is different here. We trained for a year and I learnt about different… pic.twitter.com/Vlpd54sXa2
After a 28-hour journey from Earth, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' docked with the ISS’s Harmony module at 6:21 a.m. ET on June 27.
The crew officially entered the ISS at 8:23 AM ET, and were welcomed by NASA’s Expedition 73 crew in a traditional ceremony. Shukla officially got a Space Station pin, becoming astronaut number 634 to travel to the ISS.
The Ax-4 team will spend approximately 14 days aboard the ISS and will work on various research projects in collaboration with the Expedition 73 crew.
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