Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, during his stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), conveyed a powerful message about India's standing on the global stage. Echoing the sentiments of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space in 1984, Shukla declared that India "looks full of ambition, fearless from space" and that it still looks 'saare jahan se achcha'.
Shukla's journey to the ISS marks a significant milestone for India's space program. As the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, and the second Indian to travel to space after a gap of over 40 years, his mission symbolizes the country's growing capabilities in human spaceflight and its strategic approach to leveraging commercial space opportunities. Launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Axiom Mission 4, with Shukla as the mission pilot, represents a blend of international collaboration and indigenous ambition. The mission is expected to undock from the orbiting laboratory on July 14, 2025.
During his time on the ISS, Shukla participated in around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, with at least seven experiments designated by ISRO. These experiments included investigations into stem cells to understand muscle loss in microgravity and research on the growth of microalgae for potential food security solutions. He also conducted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian researchers from various national R&D laboratories and academic institutions.
Shukla's mission has been hailed as a major symbolic and strategic milestone in India's human space flight ambitions. ISRO views this flight as a key stepping stone towards its own maiden crewed mission planned for 2027 under the Gaganyaan program. His participation in the Axiom-4 mission provides hands-on knowledge of pre-launch quarantine procedures, international collaboration protocols, spacecraft ingress and egress procedures, medical diagnostics in microgravity, and health readiness protocols, which will directly contribute to Gaganyaan's success.
The astronaut's journey has ignited a wave of pride across India, with officials stating that India is no longer a follower but an equal partner in space collaboration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Shukla, extending his best wishes and acknowledging the significance of the mission for the nation. Shukla, in turn, expressed his gratitude and emphasized that his journey was a collective achievement for the country, urging every child and youth to believe that "the sky is never the limit". He also revealed that the Indian flag proudly adorned the ISS during his mission.
Shukla's mission not only enhances India's global standing within the space community but also serves as a potent foreign policy tool, opening doors for deeper diplomatic collaborations and strengthening international partnerships. Existing collaborations with Russia on astronaut training, France on life support systems, and an agreement with Australia for crew recovery support exemplify India's proactive engagement in space diplomacy. His words from space, echoing those of Rakesh Sharma, encapsulate the nation's pride and confidence as it continues its journey of space exploration and technological advancement.
