Srinagar, June 28 -- In an 18-minute video call with Shukla, who is part of the commercial Axiom-4 mission, PM Modi said, "Shubhanshu, today you are the farthest from the land of India, but the closest to the hearts of every Indian." The conversation concluded with both chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai" from 400 km above Earth.

Modi said Shukla's name carries the word 'shubh' (auspicious), and that his journey marked the auspicious beginning of a new era.

'Bharat Mata ki jai' chant filled up the space station as the prime minister raised the slogan towards the end of the 18-minute conversation, which was reciprocated by Shukla.

Shukla told the prime minister that his space sojourn was "not my journey alone but also our country's", and that...