Accra, July 3 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday drew a symbolic connection between India's space achievements and his engagement in Africa, noting that "Africa has been connected to many of India's proudest moments in space."

He was referring to the lunar landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the current mission of Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS), both of which coincided with his visits to the continent.

Addressing the Parliament of Ghana during the first leg of his five-nation tour, the Prime Minister recalled, "When India landed the Chandrayaan mission on the moon's south pole, I was in Africa that day too. And today, an Indian astronaut, for a brighter future ...