New Delhi, July 15 -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday spoke to Shambhu Dayal Shukla, the father of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, following the latter's successful return to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission - 4.

During the telephonic conversation, the Defence Minister expressed happiness over Shubhanshu's safe return and said the entire country is proud of his achievement.

"We thank god for the safe landing of Shubhanshu Shukla... Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also blessed Shubhanshu Shukla and extended best wishes to us," Shambhu Dayal Shukla told ANI later.

In a separate statement posted on X, Rajnath Singh said, "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's success...