PM Modi Speaks To Shubhanshu Shukla

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, via video conferencing.

Shukla, accompanied by three other astronauts, launched to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre on June 25 as part of the Axiom-4 mission.

“PM @narendramodi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station," the Prime Minister’s Office posted on its official X handle, along with a picture of the interaction between both of them.

In his welcome remarks, Shukla described his experience, saying it looked easy standing on camera, but his head felt a little heavy. Shukla, who officially got a Space Station pin, becoming astronaut number 634, said the next two weeks will be exciting.

In an emotional message sent from orbit ahead of docking, Shukla greeted Indians with “Namaskar from space,” expressing pride in carrying the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians on his shoulders.

The Ax-4 team will spend approximately 14 days aboard the ISS, collaborating with the Expedition 73 crew and conducting more than 60 scientific experiments and educational outreach activities - the most ambitious research agenda of any Axiom mission to date. Their work will include projects in cancer research, DNA repair, and advanced manufacturing, reflecting the growing role of commercial and international partnerships in space exploration.