Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a heartfelt letter to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, inviting her to visit India as two astronauts stuck in orbit for nine months finally departed the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday, kicking off their long-awaited voyage home.
“Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your good health and success in your mission,” Narendra Modi wrote in the letter which was shared by Union minister Jitendra Singh on X.
“Ms. Bonnie Pandya must be keenly awaiting your return and I am sure that Late Deepakbhai’s blessings are with you as well. I fondly remember meeting him along with you during my visit to the United States in 2016. After your return, we are looking forward to seeing you in India. It will be a pleasure for India to host one of its most illustrious daughters.” the Indian prime minister also wrote.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, seated inside a Dragon capsule with two other crew members, undocked from the ISS at 1:05am New York time on Tuesday.
The capsule is expected to travel through space, plunge through the atmosphere and ultimately fall to Earth under parachutes before splashing down off the Florida coast around 6 p.m. local time.
In his letter, Modi expressed immense pride in Sunita Williams’ achievements and highlighted how 1.4 billion Indians celebrate her perseverance and contributions to space exploration.
The Prime Minister mentioned that during his meetings with US President Donald Trump and ex-president Joe Biden, he inquired about her well-being, underscoring India’s admiration for her work. He also recalled meeting her family during his 2016 visit to the US.
