Shashi Tharoor hails Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey amid Opposition boycott: 'Let me say this...'

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lauded the unique value of Shukla’s experience in orbit

Confirming that the Opposition will not participate in the special parliamentary discussion to honour Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's space achievements, party MP Shashi Tharoor voiced resounding praise for India’s space hero.

In a post on X, Tharoor said Shukla's historic flight serves as a powerful symbol of India's ambitions in human spaceflight. “Since the Opposition is not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS),” he said.

According to Tharoor, Shukla’s mission served as a stepping stone to the nation's own human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. “Shukla's mission provided ISRO invaluable hands-on experience & data that cannot be replicated in simulations. His first-hand observations on pre-launch procedures, spacecraft systems, and the psychological and physiological effects of microgravity are crucial for de-risking and refining the Gaganyaan mission,” he said.

1/3 Since the Opposition are not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS). It served as a stepping stone to our nation's own human spaceflight… https://t.co/y1BWqccEg6

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 18, 2025

He said Shukla's mission has captured the nation's imagination, inspiring a new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, maths & space studies. "....all essential for sustaining India's long-term space goals. Well done,” he said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju earlier on Monday urged opposition parties to participate in a discussion in the Lok Sabha on Shukla's successful mission.

"Our hero astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla has returned home after a successful mission to International Space Station. Parliament will honour him with a special discussion on his historic milestone and India's growing space ambitions in our journey towards Viksit Bharat," Rijiju said in a post on X.

The session opened with minister of state for space and science & technology Jitendra Singh initiating a special discussion on u Shukla’s historic space mission. However, the proceedings could not move forward as Opposition MPs raised protests over the alleged selective inclusion and removal (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

He said India will undertake an uncrewed space mission involving a robot 'Vyommitra' in 2026, followed by its maiden human spaceflight – Gaganyaan – in 2027. "India will set up its own Bharat Antariksh Station in 2035 and in 2040, an Indian astronaut will set foot on the moon," Singh said. "Modi ji's dream of Viksit Bharat in 2047 will be heralded a few years in advance from the moon. An Indian on moon will announce the heralding of Viksit Bharat."