A hug on Earth after a journey in space: PM Modi meets Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla after successful Axiom-4 Mission | WATCH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, pilot of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. The meeting took place at PM's official residence in New Delhi. The interaction comes weeks after the successful mission, in which Shukla played a key role as part of the crew. Shukla shared photos clicked from space and also discussed experience with the Prime Minister.
Earlier in the day, Parliament honoured the Indian Air Force pilot. The discussion, coming a day after his return to New Delhi, was filled with praise and a strong sense of national pride, even as opposition parties staged a boycott. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh led the session, highlighting Shukla’s accomplishments and their importance for India’s space ambitions.

Parliament described Group Captain Shukla’s achievement as a new chapter in India’s space exploration, noting that it not only advanced homegrown science but also inspired a generation of young Indians to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and space.

Shukla’s Ax-4 mission, carried out with international partners, was hailed for providing vital experience and strengthening India’s ambitions for its upcoming human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. Lawmakers also highlighted ISRO’s milestone of landing a spacecraft near the Moon’s southernmost point as the agency prepares for Chandrayaan-4.

Ahead of the discussion, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor confirmed that the Opposition would not join the proceedings. However, he expressed strong admiration for Shukla, posting on X that “all Indians are proud of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS).” Tharoor said the mission marked a crucial step forward for India’s human spaceflight goals and a direct precursor to the Gaganyaan programme.