New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has praised Commander Shubhanshu Shukla's recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting its importance for India's human spaceflight ambitions.

"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 International Space Station (ISS). It served as a stepping stone to our nation's own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan," Tharoor said.

Tharoor highlighted the mission's invaluable contributions, noting that it provided the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with hands-on experience and data unattainable by simulations.

He wrote, "Shukla's mission p...