Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 18, 2025, at his residence in Delhi. During this meeting, Shukla thoughtfully gifted the PM two deeply symbolic items: the Axiom-4 mission patch and the Indian Tricolour that had journeyed with him into space.

This simple yet emotionally rich gesture resonated deeply across the nation. Social media swiftly lit up with admiration, as citizens celebrated this fusion of scientific achievement and national pride. Many hailed the moment as a reminder of India’s growing presence in space exploration and the unity that transcends terrestrial boundaries.

For PM Modi, the gift underscored a milestone in India’s space journey and symbolized hope for the future. His meeting with Shukla emphasized the importance of public outreach, inspiring young minds, and advancing India’s Human Space Flight agenda. As the country prepares for its own missions, including Gaganyaan, this interaction served as a beacon of possibility proving that the sky is not the limit, but rather just the beginning.