New Delhi: Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), is arriving in India this evening after completing his historic mission.

Shukla was part of a four-member crew that recently returned safely to Earth after a visit to the ISS, marking a significant milestone for India's space programme.

The astronaut is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital before travelling to his hometown Lucknow to spend a few days with his family. He will also participate in the National Space Day celebrations in Delhi on August 23.

Shukla, who has boarded a flight from the United States, shared his thoughts on social media ahead of his arrival. “While sitting on the flight back to India, some feelings arose in my heart. I am happy to meet my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time after the space mission. We have to keep moving forward in life. The only constant in space travel is change. I believe that applies to life as well,” he wrote.