Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla declared that “India is here to stay in space,” as he shared his inspiring journey at Conclave Mumbai 2025 on Thursday.

Recalling his historic mission aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft earlier this year, he described the emotional moment when he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from orbit with the Indian tricolor behind him.

“It was the first time the Indian flag reached the space station, and the first time someone spoke in Hindi from space. That memory will always stay with me. This time, we are here to stay,” Shukla told an applauding audience.

Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla was speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2025.

Shukla recounted his extraordinary path, beginning as a young test pilot in the Indian Air Force flying Mi

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