Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla back from space on behalf of the entire nation. In his message, PM Modi stated, "I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who has returned to Earth after his historic space mission."
Shubhanshu Shukla Return: July 14, 2025, became a historic day for India when Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla successfully completed his 18-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and safely returned to Earth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed Shubhanshu Shukla on his historic mission and safe return on behalf of the country, calling it a significant milestone towards the 'Gaganyaan mission'.
PM Modi Applauds, Calls Him an Inspiration for the Nation
Prime Minister Modi said, "I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who has returned to Earth after his historic space mission. He has inspired over a billion dreams with his dedication, courage, and pioneering spirit. This is a major step towards India's manned space mission 'Gaganyaan'."
Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station. Before him, Rakesh Sharma (1984) had journeyed into space with the Soyuz T-11 mission, but Shubhanshu Shukla's mission symbolizes India's new space ambitions in the modern era.
Axiom-4 Mission: A Historic Moment for India
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla completed his historic journey under the Axiom-4 mission. Along with him on this mission were veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson, Hungary's Tibor Kapu, and Poland's Sławosz Uznański-Wisniewski. These astronauts lifted off from the International Space Station on July 14 at 4:45 PM Indian time aboard the Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft and successfully splashed down on Earth after a journey of 22.5 hours. This mission was not only a moment of pride for India but will also serve as a source of inspiration for India's manned space missions in the years to come.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated him
India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Shubhanshu Shukla on this occasion. He said, "The successful return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the Axiom-4 mission is a moment of pride for every Indian. He has not only touched space but has also given new heights to India's ambitions. This achievement is not just his personal achievement but is also important for the future of India's space journey."
Shubhanshu Shukla's journey is considered a milestone for India's much-awaited Gaganyaan mission. ISRO is already preparing for the launch of the manned space mission 'Gaganyaan' by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. Shubhanshu Shukla's successful mission has provided invaluable experience to Indian space scientists and mission planners in understanding the behavior of the human body in space, space life systems, and technical challenges.
