Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla after his return from space, following the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla, along with three other astronauts, landed safely in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, early Tuesday at 3:01 pm IST .
In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister said,
“I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.”
PM Modi also mentioned that the mission was a step forward in India’s preparations for its own human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan.
I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, also responded soon after the splashdown. He said that the safe return of Shukla was a moment of significance not only for India but for others watching space developments.
Shukla travelled on board the Dragon capsule Grace, which undocked from the International Space Station at 4:45 pm IST on Monday. The spacecraft carried back more than 580 kilograms of cargo, including over 60 science experiments. The return trip took around 22.5 hours before the capsule landed off the California coast.
Shukla is the first Indian in over four decades to travel to space and spend time aboard Space, following Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984.
