New Delhi, June 28 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot turned astronaut, who is aboard the Axiom-4 mission at the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Shukla and his team will carry out scientific tasks over the next 14 days in the ISS.

"Today, you are farthest away from your hometown, your country, but today, you the most close in the hearts of your countryment," the prime minister said. "Your name carries 'shubh', and your journey is the 'shubh' beginning of a new era."

"At this time, it is only us two speaking, but the thoughts of 140 crore Indians lie with me," PM Modi said during his video conversation with the historic Indian astronaut. "My...