India looks bigger from space than on map: Shubhanshu Shukla tells PM Modi | Watch

PM Modi interacts with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard ISS

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, told PM Narendra Modi during a live video interaction that India appears "grander and larger" from space than it does on maps.

"India looks grand and bigger from space than it does on map", Shubhanshu Shukla told PM Modi.

Calling the mission a shared achievement of 140 crore Indians, Shukla thanked the Prime Minister for enabling such aspirations.

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

“I thank you and 140 crore Indians for their wishes. I am safe and doing well here. This 400 km journey into orbit is not mine alone — it belongs to the entire country,” Shukla said.

“As a child, I never imagined I could become an astronaut. But under your leadership, our country is turning dreams into reality. I’m proud to represent India in space.”

Sharing his first impressions of viewing Earth from orbit, Shukla remarked, “From space, the Earth looks unified — we cannot see any borders."

"There is a deep sense of oneness. Our motto, ‘Anekta mein ekta’ (unity in diversity), becomes clearer from space. Borders seem to vanish, and it feels like we are all part of humanity, Earth is our home, and we are its citizens", he added.

PM Modi congratulated the astronaut on behalf of 140 crore Indians.

“You may be the farthest from Indian soil, but you are the closest to the hearts of every Indian,” said the Prime Minister.

“Even your name carries 'shubh' reflecting an auspicious beginning. This is not just your journey, it is the start of a new era for India’s youth and space ambitions.”

“Right now, it’s just the two of us talking, but I carry with me the sentiments of 140 crore Indians,” Prime Minister Modi said during his video interaction with the historic Indian astronaut. “My words reflect the collective excitement of the entire nation.”

During his chat with PM Modi, Shukla also detailed two flagship experiments on the ISS: one testing supplements to counter muscle loss in microgravity—a development useful for combating age-related muscle decline—and another on cultivating micro-algae for food security.

PM Modi remarked that the mission builds on the inspiration from Chandrayaan‑3 and will form the foundation for India’s future space endeavours.

Addressing India’s youth, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared an inspiring message: "Success doesn’t follow a fixed route, but persistence is key."

He urged young people to keep striving, no matter the obstacles, reinforcing the idea that determination and effort ultimately pave the way forward.