“With the Hope of 1.4 billion Indians”: PM Modi talks with Nation’s first ISS astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday. The Axiom-4 mission, carrying the team captain Shukla and three other crew members, docked with the ISS on June 26.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is boarding the International Space Station,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post by Captain Shukla of X. Group.
afternoon @narendramodi Interact with captain Shubhanshu Shukla on the International Space Station. pic.twitter.com/Q37HQVUWCD
– Indian PMO (@pmoindia) June 28, 2025
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“The wish of 1.4 billion Indians”
Earlier, after the successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission, Prime Minister Modi praised the milestone and said: “We welcome the successful launch of the space mission with astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the United States. The group of Indian astronauts, group captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is about to be the first Indian to join the International Space Station and hope he can be his other wishes. Astronauts have achieved all the success!”
Team captain Shukla, emotionally reflecting the mission, described the launch as “magical” and said, “I’m so happy to be here with my astronauts – to be honest. Honestly, when I was sitting in the capsule “grace”, yesterday and yesterday on the launch pad, yesterday and yesterday on the launch pad for 30 days, I could do quarantine for 30 days after the quarantine and then I could sit down. You just floated in a vacuum, which was amazing.”
Successful docking and warm welcome to ISS
The Dragon Spacecraft carrying AX-4 crew is docked at 4:05 pm IST, with the space port of the Harmony module. The Expedition 73 team of seven people warmly welcomed the crew and started with a safety briefing.
The AX-4 team includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson (mission commander), Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of ISRO astronaut group, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu in Hungary.
Please read also:Axiom-4 mission: Countdown begins! Shubhanshu Shukla in India is set to historic ISS journey as SpaceX confirms launch is ready
Captain Shukla said, “To be fair, there are a few opportunities to see the Earth from the vantage point I can see now. It was a great trip. It was a great trip. I’m looking forward to space. Our expectations were great.
“The three colors on my shoulders feel like the whole country is with me”
Speaking of India’s pride and emotional connection with missions, Shukla said: “I have a little message to my fellow countrymen: It’s because of your love and blessings, I have arrived safely at the International Space Station. It looks easy to stand here, but it’s not that my head is painful; however, I will be painful. However, we will get used to it. Everyone has an interest in attending.”
He added: “My three colors on my shoulders make me feel like the whole country is with me. I believe the next 14 days will be really fun.”
What’s next for Shukla and the AX-4 team
Astronauts will spend two weeks on the International Space Station (ISS) in scientific experiments, educational outreach and commercial activities. Team Captain Shukla will lead several experiments as part of India’s collaboration on Axiom Mission 4.
