Accra [Ghana], July 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the Parliament of Ghana during the first leg of his five-nation Africa tour, highlighted a unique connection between India’s landmark space achievements and his visits to the African continent.
Reflecting on symbolic timing, PM Modi said, “Africa has been connected to many of India's proudest moments in space.” He pointed to two significant milestones—India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and the recent journey of Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS)—both of which occurred during his visits to Africa.
Recalling the historic lunar landing, PM Modi said, “When India landed the Chandrayaan mission on the moon's south pole, I was in Africa that day too. And today, as an Indian astronaut carries out experiments in space for the betterment of humanity, I am once again in Africa.”
Group Captain Shukla, currently aboard the ISS as part of Axiom Mission 4, launched on June 25, has become the second Indian to travel to space and the first to reach the space station. PM Modi lauded his mission as a testament to India's aspirations for a "brighter future of humanity."
He also revisited the moment when Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander touched down near the moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023—a landmark event he witnessed from Johannesburg, South Africa, while attending the 15th BRICS Summit.
Turning to India’s rapid technological rise, the Prime Minister remarked, “India now hosts the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem and stands as a global hub for innovation and technology. We are known as the pharmacy of the world. Indian women today are leading in science, space, aviation, and sports. India has reached the Moon, and today, an Indian is in orbit—giving wings to our space dreams.”
PM Modi emphasized that such milestones are not coincidences, but part of a broader vision of shared progress with nations like Ghana. He reaffirmed India's commitment to inclusive growth, stating, “Our development touches every Indian. We are determined to make India a developed nation by 2047, as we mark 100 years of independence.”
Pledging deeper cooperation, he added, “As Ghana moves forward on its path of development and prosperity, India stands ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with you.”
Following his address, the Prime Minister engaged with members of the Indian diaspora in Ghana, receiving an enthusiastic and heartfelt welcome from the community.
