In a striking blend of pride and political nudge, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to X on Monday to applaud Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS). Calling the mission a “powerful symbol” of India's human spaceflight ambitions and a key step toward the upcoming Gaganyaan program, Tharoor’s message struck an emotional chord with space enthusiasts and science lovers alike.

What made his words even more telling was their context. Tharoor began by noting the absence of other Opposition leaders from a special Lok Sabha discussion planned to celebrate Shukla’s achievement effectively calling them out: “Since the Opposition are not participating in the special discussion, let me say how proud all Indians are…”.

He appreciated the practical benefits of the mission, which offers ISRO important practical experience in areas such as the collection of spacecraft systems, projection protocols and data on human and plant behaviour in microorganisms - all these will prove to be invaluable in refining the Gaganyaan Missions.

1/3 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… https://t.co/y1BWqccEg6

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 18, 2025

Beyond scientific benefits, he emphasized that Shukla's journey further strengthens the situation in India's global space diplomacy, which opens new doors of international cooperation in space science and investigation.

Tharoor's broad message was light but clear - when political appearances dominate the achievements at the domestic level, then someone must say untold. Through a thoughtful post, he celebrated an important stage of Indian space history and reminded his colleagues and public that unity matters the most when the nation tries to reach the stars.