I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, writes Narendra Modi on X welcoming Indian astronaut back to Earth

 Indian PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla after he returned from the International Space Station
Narendra Modi interacting with Shubhanshu Shukla. Photo: Narendra Modi/X

Indian PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla after he returned from the International Space Station (ISS) after spending nearly three weeks there as part of the Axiom 4 mission.

In his first X post after Shukla’s return to Earth, Modi said he inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.

In his post, he said: “I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space.”

He further said: “As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan.”

Shukla returns home

Writing a glorious chapter in India’s space odyssey, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla splashed down off California with Ax-4 crew members on Tuesday.

Shukla returned to Earth after spending two weeks at the ISS.

He was the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS.

Confirming the development, Space X wrote on X: “Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth,@AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz , and Tibi!”

Group Captain Shukla, now India’s newest space hero, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego in the US at approximately 3:01 pm IST aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

Shukla and his fellow crew members returned to Earth after a 22-hour journey since they undocked from the ISS on Monday.