Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), in New Delhi on Monday. The meeting celebrated Shukla’s remarkable journey and highlighted India’s future space ambitions.
Shukla traveled to space on June 25, 2025, as part of the private “Axiom-4 Mission.” He spent 18 days aboard the ISS and returned on July 15. His mission marked a milestone for India, making him the first Indian to live and work on the ISS.
During the meeting, PM Modi greeted Shukla warmly, embraced him, and walked alongside him with pride.
The meeting began on a lighter note. Prime Minister Modi asked Shukla whether he had completed the “homework” assigned to him before his mission. The question was delivered in a humorous tone but carried symbolic meaning.
Shukla responded with a smile, saying the “homework” had made good progress. He shared that after Modi’s earlier conversation with him aboard the ISS, fellow astronauts teased him, joking that their prime minister had given him homework.
Shukla explained that the “homework” was about collecting experiences, observations, and learnings that would benefit future missions. He emphasized that this was not the end of a mission but the beginning of a larger journey.
Prime Minister Modi had earlier told Shukla that India’s goals extended far beyond this mission. The prime minister stressed the importance of advancing the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and establishing India’s own space station. He also spoke about the dream of landing Indian astronauts on the Moon.
For these ambitious goals, Modi asked Shukla to record his experiences in detail. These insights would guide future Indian astronauts and scientists.
Shukla acknowledged this responsibility and said the mission’s true purpose was to learn as much as possible and bring that knowledge back to India.
During the interaction, Shukla presented PM Modi with two symbolic gifts. The first was the official “Mission Patch” of the Axiom-4 mission. The second was the Indian national flag he had carried with him to the ISS.
This same tricolor flag had been displayed behind him when he spoke to Modi from space on June 29. That moment had filled many Indians with pride as the national flag floated against the backdrop of Earth and space.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi shared his thoughts on social media platform ‘X.’ He wrote that he had a meaningful conversation with Shukla. The two discussed his space experiences, advancements in science and technology, and India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. Modi said the nation was proud of Shukla’s achievement.
The prime minister described the meeting as a moment of pride not only for Shukla but for every Indian who dreams of space exploration.
Shukla himself shared a message on social media after the meeting. He posted a picture where he was presenting a framed tricolor flag to the prime minister. He wrote that he had previously spoken to Modi from space with the same flag in the background, and now he was honored to present it in person.
He added that representing India in space had been an unforgettable moment. Meeting the prime minister and sharing those experiences made him feel immense pride. Shukla described it as the first step in India’s human space journey.
Born in Lucknow, Shubanshu Shukla joined the Indian Air Force as a Group Captain before becoming an astronaut. His selection for the Axiom-4 mission made history, as he became the first Indian to visit the ISS.
The Axiom-4 spacecraft was launched from Florida on June 25, 2025, and docked with the ISS on June 26. Shukla spent 18 days in microgravity, conducting experiments and sharing experiences with international crew members.
He returned to Earth on July 15 and later arrived in India to a hero’s welcome.
The Axiom-4 mission was not only important for Shukla but also for India’s growing presence in global space exploration. As a private mission in collaboration with multiple agencies, it provided India with valuable knowledge about working in the ISS environment.
For Shukla, the mission allowed him to study space conditions, test equipment, and observe human responses in microgravity. These insights will directly support the Gaganyaan mission and India’s long-term plans for space research.
One of the most powerful symbols of Shukla’s mission was the Indian tricolor he carried with him. The image of the flag floating inside the ISS during his video call with Modi went viral.
Shukla said that carrying the flag was one of the most emotional parts of his mission. It reminded him that he was representing over a billion people in space. Handing over that same flag to the prime minister was, in his words, “a moment of eternal pride.”
Shukla underlined that every small observation he made on the ISS will have a larger role in shaping India’s space future. From handling equipment to maintaining health in zero gravity, his records will serve as guidance for future astronauts.
He insisted that the journey was not just about personal achievement. Instead, it was about opening doors for India’s space program and ensuring that the nation is prepared for bigger missions like Gaganyaan and lunar exploration.
PM Modi has consistently spoken about India’s ambitious space goals. He has stressed that India must become a leader in space exploration, not just a participant.
With missions like Chandrayaan, Aditya, and Gaganyaan, India is building a strong reputation in space science. Modi has highlighted that future generations should see India’s flag on space stations and even on the Moon.
Meeting with Shukla gave Modi another opportunity to emphasize these aspirations while acknowledging the hard work of India’s scientists and astronauts.
During the interaction, Shukla spoke openly about his feelings. He said representing India at the ISS was a once-in-a-lifetime honor. The pride he felt during the digital conversation with Modi from space returned in an even stronger way when meeting him face-to-face.
Shukla promised that his experiences would help India achieve its goals. He said he considered himself not just a participant but also a messenger carrying lessons for the country’s future missions.
India’s journey into human space exploration is still at an early stage. However, with Shukla’s mission completed, the path toward the Gaganyaan mission looks more achievable.
Experts believe that Shukla’s learnings will directly contribute to India’s first indigenous manned space mission. Establishing an Indian space station in the coming years is also part of the broader vision.
Landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon remains a dream but one that leaders like Modi insist will become reality.
The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and astronaut Shubanshu Shukla was more than a ceremonial event. It reflected India’s rising ambition in space exploration and the pride of having its first astronaut on the ISS.
Shukla’s symbolic “homework” is about documenting lessons that will support India’s space future. The gifts of the mission patch and the tricolor carried to space underscored the emotional and historic significance of his journey.
India today stands at the threshold of a new era in human spaceflight. With vision from its leaders and courage from astronauts like Shukla, the nation is preparing to leave its mark among the stars.
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