Shashi Tharoor Hails Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS Mission as ‘Powerful Symbol’ of India’s Space Ambitions

New Delhi — Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday praised astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS), describing it as a “powerful symbol” of India’s aspirations in human spaceflight and a vital precursor to the Gaganyaan programme.

“Since the Opposition are not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are of the recent mission of Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to the ISS. It served as a stepping stone to our nation’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan,” Tharoor wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier in the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had called on Opposition parties to join a special Lok Sabha discussion on Shukla’s mission and India’s space programme. However, several Opposition leaders declined to participate, demanding a debate on alleged voter fraud instead.

Tharoor emphasised that Shukla’s flight provided the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with “invaluable hands-on experience and data that cannot be replicated in simulations,” including critical insights into spacecraft systems, launch operations, and the psychological and physiological effects of microgravity. Such knowledge, he noted, would be instrumental in “de-risking and refining” the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.

He added that the ISS mission tested Indian systems and protocols in a live space environment, while also generating scientific outcomes ranging from human health studies to plant growth experiments. These findings, Tharoor said, would directly inform life-support and medical systems for future Indian spaceflights.

Beyond the technical gains, the senior Congress leader underlined the mission’s diplomatic importance, calling it a milestone in “global space diplomacy” that showcased India’s readiness for multilateral cooperation and opened new opportunities for joint research and investment.

“Commander Shukla’s historic flight serves as a powerful symbol of India’s ambitions in human spaceflight,” Tharoor said. “It has captured the nation’s imagination, inspiring a new generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and space studies — all essential for sustaining India’s long-term space goals. Well done.”