Following the historic return of Shubhanshu Shukla from the International Space Station (ISS), astronaut Prashanth Nair likened Shukla to the Hindu deity Rama, stating that the occasion felt like Diwali. Shukla's mission marks a significant milestone, as he is the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS.

Nair, who served as the backup pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, expressed immense pride and joy at Shukla's successful journey. He compared their relationship to that of Rama and Laxmana, figures in Hindu mythology known for their brotherhood and support for each other. This analogy highlights the strong bond between the two astronauts and the collaborative spirit of their mission.

Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, also acknowledged the mission's success, emphasizing how the experience will contribute to future projects such as Gaganyaan, India's first human spaceflight mission, and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. He underscored the value of international collaboration, noting the exceptional training he received with Axiom Space, NASA, and astronauts from other countries.

Nair had earlier lauded Shukla's determination and focus, recognizing his drive to become the first Indian to visit the ISS. He highlighted the importance of teamwork in space missions, emphasizing the need to understand each other's strengths and limitations. Nair also noted that he and Shukla met when they were selected for the Gaganyaan program.

The Axiom-4 mission, commanded by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, included mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The crew's successful docking with the Harmony module of the ISS marked their arrival at the station, following their launch from the Kennedy Space Center.

The mission facilitated scientific research, technology demonstrations, and space outreach activities aboard the ISS. The insights gained are expected to significantly benefit the Indian Human Space Programme and strengthen collaboration between ISRO and NASA.

Prashanth Nair is also an Indian Air Force pilot and astronaut who earned the Sword of Honour at the Hyderabad Air Force Academy. In 2019, Nair was selected by ISRO for training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow, where he underwent intensive training. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Nair as one of the four astronauts in training for India's Gaganyaan mission.