‘Carrying aspirations of 1.4 billion’: President to PM, leaders laud Shubhanshu Shukla’s Axiom-4 mission

The President wrote in a post on X, “As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla creates a new milestone in space for India, the whole nation is excited and proud of an Indian’s journey into the stars. He and his fellow astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 from the US, Poland, and Hungary prove the world is indeed one family – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. My best wishes for the success of this mission, which reflects the enduring partnership between NASA and ISRO. The wide-ranging experiments to be performed by the crew will lead to new frontiers of scientific studies and space exploration.”

Wishing Shukla success, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he carries with him the hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. PM Modi’s X post reads: “We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US. The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on his way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success!”

The Union Cabinet passed a resolution on Shukla’s space mission, and Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw read it out: “…We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US. The Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on his way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. The cabinet wishes him and other astronauts all the success…”

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also congratulated Shukla. Kambhampati said, “Congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on becoming India’s second astronaut in space after 41 years…His journey aboard Axiom Mission 4 embodies the spirit of New India — bold, ambitious, and visionary. A proud moment for our nation!”

Majhi said, “Heartiest congratulations to Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla on being part of the prestigious Axiom-4 space mission. His participation marks a proud milestone for the nation and reflects the excellence, discipline, and commitment of the Indian Air Force. As India strengthens its presence in global space exploration, this achievement will inspire countless young minds across the country. Wishing him and the entire mission team a safe and successful journey.”

K Annamalai, Tamil Nadu BJP president, posted, “‘This is the start of India’s human space program. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat’ – these stirring words were from space from Indian astronaut Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, one of the four astronauts flying on SpaceX’s Dragon for Axiom Space’s fourth mission to the International Space Station. Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has etched a moment of pride into the Indian consciousness.”

‘Touch the sky with glory’: Opposition leaders wish Shukla

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wished Shukla a safe and successful return, writing on X: “A proud moment for every Indian as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launches off on his journey to the International Space Station. Forty-one years after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space, Shukla now carries forward that legacy, inspiring every Indian. Wishing him and the team a safe and successful return.”

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge urged Shukla to “touch the sky with glory” and said: “We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US. After Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma in 1984, our astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is now en route to becoming the second Indian to travel to space, after 41 years. We pray for his successful mission. The entire nation is proud of this achievement.”

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor wrote on X: “Proud to see an Indian back in space after 41 years! Congratulations to Grp Cpt Shubhanshu Shukla @IndiainSky on his way to becoming the first Indian at the International Space Station. Wishing him and his fellow astronauts aboard Axiom-4 (from Hungary, Poland, and the US) all success and a safe return home. Not even the sky’s the limit!”