February 10, 2026 02:06 pm (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
‘Won’t allow any impediment in SIR’: Supreme Court pulls up Mamata govt over delay in sharing officers’ details | India-US trade deal: ‘Negotiations always two-way’, says Amul MD amid farmers’ concerns | Khamenei breaks 37-year-old ritual for first time amid escalating Iran-US tensions | India must push for energy independence amid global uncertainty: Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal | Kanpur horror: Lamborghini driven by businessman’s son rams vehicles, injures six | ‘Namaste Trump beat Howdy Modi’: Congress slams PM Over India-US trade deal | Historic India-US trade pact: Tariffs cut, $500B market opportunity unlocked! | Big call from RBI: Repo rate stays at 5.25%, neutral stance continues | RG Kar scam twist: Court issues non-bailable warrant against whistle-blower Akhtar Ali | Court snub for Vijay: Madras HC rejects plea in ₹1.5 crore tax case
Sunita Williams
Narendra Modi writes letter to Sunita Williams. Photo Courtesy: NASA X page

You remain close to our hearts, says Narendra Modi in his letter to Sunita Williams as she heads home

| @indiablooms | Mar 18, 2025, at 03:32 pm

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams commenced her return journey to Earth after spending nine months in the International Space Station (ISS) where she remained stuck with colleague Butch Wilmore.

Meanwhile, Indian PM Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Williams where he said he is waiting to see Sunita Williams visiting India in future after returning home.

Modi wrote in the letter: "1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance."

"Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts," he wrote in his emotional letter addressed to the Indian-origin astronaut.

He said people in India are praying for her health and the success of the mission.

"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," he said.

The letter was shared on X by Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

Sharing the letter, Singh wrote: " As the whole world waits, with abated breath, for the safe return of Sunita Williams, this is how PM Sh @narendramodi expressed his concern for this daughter of India."

Williams Departs From ISS

Sharing details of the departure journey of the astronauts, NASA posted on X: "They're on their way! #Crew9 undocked from the @Space_Station at 1:05am ET (0505 UTC). Reentry and splashdown coverage begins on X, YouTube, and NASA+ at 4:45pm ET (2145 UTC) this evening."

They are returning in a Space X Dragon aircraft.

The two astronauts commenced their journey to Earth at 10:35 am IST.

The trip is expected to be completed in 17 hours.

Williams and Wilmore have been stuck in the Space Station since June last year after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they were testing on its maiden crewed voyage suffered propulsion issues.

It was deemed unfit for flying them back to Earth.

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.