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."
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
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!”
Welcome back to Earth, #Ax4! Today the Dragon spacecraft successfully splashed down marking the end of their successful mission to the International Space Station. pic.twitter.com/eeAyPCmWgG
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) July 15, 2025
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.