India post release commemorative stamps, souvenir sheets on India's human space programme
Bengaluru (PTI): The Department of Posts on Sunday released two commemorative postage stamps and souvenir sheets to celebrate the remarkable progress of India's human space programme, led by ISRO.
K Prakash, Chief Postmaster General of the Karnataka Postal Circle, released the commemorative stamps in the presence of Dr V Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS).
The commemorative postage stamps and souvenir sheets visually capture India's journey from early achievements, such as the launch of Aryabhata, to its future ambitions in human spaceflight and orbital infrastructure. They also reflect India's rich scientific heritage, symbolised by landmarks such as the Jantar Mantar, India Post said.
"These stamps capture India's evolution from its early beginnings under Dr Vikram Sarabhai to become a global space power. They highlight major achievements, such as Chandrayaan-3, and the upcoming human spaceflight mission- Gaganyaan, symbolising the country's growing technological strength and ambition," a senior India Post official said at the event.
One souvenir sheet showcases the Gaganyaan crew module alongside future aspirations like Bharatiya Antariksha Station, reflecting India's vision of establishing a space station by 2035.
The other sheet draws inspiration from the Axiom 4 mission machine, honouring Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and beautifully connects India's ancient astronomical heritage with modern scientific machines, he said.
According to officials, the mission patch created by designer Manish Tripathi for Shukla's historic Axiom 4 mission spaceflight was part of the stamp released on Sunday, on the occasion of the International Day of Human Space Flight.
Addressing the gathering, Group Captain Shukla said that space missions or explorations have the potential to transform a nation.
Recalling ISRO's successful missions over the years and his association with the space agency, he said, "Hopefully very soon, we will be able to launch astronauts on our own rocket and our own launch vehicle to space, and bring them back safely."
"Last year, when I was in the US, training for this (Axiom-4) mission to go to space, there was a story you could carry with you in the form of a mission patch, which is one of the stamps released today," he said.
"We gave a lot of thought to what story we should carry into space. If you look at it, a theme connecting this patch is, where India started in terms of space missions, the first satellite, Aryabhatta, which went to space and where we are today, when we are pursuing Mission Gaganyaan," he said.
Shukla called on the students and youngsters with a message that "sky was never the limit, not for me, not for you, and not for Bharat."
ISRO Chairman Narayanan lauded the service of the postal department for the nation during his address.
Listing ISRO's achievements and expertise over the years, he said, "Today, building a satellite is like a child's play for my colleagues at ISRO... When it comes to launch vehicle capability, the LVM-3 can currently carry a payload of up to 10,000 kg. We are working on a next-generation launch vehicle capable of taking 30,000 kg and 80,000 kg into low earth orbit."
Crediting PM Narendra Modi for the human space flight programme, the ISRO chief asserted that ensuring the safety of Gaganyatris (astronauts) is of utmost priority while preparing for the human space flight missions.
"Under the guidance of our PM, a lot of activities are going on. We are working on the Gaganyaan programme. Please don't ask me when the date is. It is a technology-intensive programme, and we're solving problems, moving forward, and succeeding at every stage. We are planning for an uncrewed mission first. After completing three uncrewed missions, we have to go for the crewed mission, because for us, safety is very, very important," he said.
Noting that work is underway for the Indian space station, Narayanan said it will be a total 52-tonne space station.
"India plans to have five modules of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station in place by 2035. The launch of the first module is expected by 2028," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump arrives in China for talks with Xi
Beijing (PTI): US President Donald Trump arrived in China on Wednesday for a three-day state visit during which he will discuss a host of global issues, including the Iran war, with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump, who is visiting China at the invitation of President Xi, was received by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the airport.
The leaders of the world's two largest economies will hold their seventh face-to-face talks. They last met face-to-face in October 2025 in Busan, South Korea.
The US President arrived in China on his second visit in nine years to clinch a trade deal, to end the frictions over tariffs that affected its over USD 525 billion exports to the US.
Trump, who is accompanied by top CEOs, was the last US president to visit China in 2017, during his first term.
President Trump would have a bilateral meeting with Xi on Thursday, US Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said on Sunday.
The two leaders will meet again on Friday for a bilateral tea and working lunch, she said, adding that the US plans to host the Chinese leader for a reciprocal visit later this year.
Ahead of Trump's arrival, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and Scott Bessent completed the final round of trade negotiations in South Korea, details of which are not known.
The talks focused on trade and tariffs, Artificial Intelligence and technology, Taiwan and US' arms sales to Taipei, Iran and West Asia security and rare earths and supply chains.
Trump's schedule included a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a complex of imperial temples where emperors would pray for a good harvest.
ALSO READ: Four militants arrested in Manipur
Ahead of his departure for Beijing, Trump told the media in Washington he would be talking with Xi about trade more than anything else.
He plans to sign more deals with China to buy more American food and aircraft. The two countries also plan to set up a Board of Trade with China to address differences between the countries.
From a trade point of view, China looks to reap a rich harvest as Trump is accompanied by top CEOs of US multinational giants, including Tesla chief Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook, who have well-entrenched business in China.
Apple has regained the top spot in China's competitive smartphone market as of early 2026, driven by a 28 per cent surge in iPhone shipments.
In April, Tesla's China-made vehicle sales (including exports) reached 79,478, a 36 per cent year-over-year increase, signalling a production rebound.
The top US business leaders will be allowed to mingle with their Chinese counterparts at an exclusive international business club, according to Chinese officials.
The global focus on the summit, however, would be on any possible outcome that could end the US-Israeli-Iran war and end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Ahead of Trump's visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made his first visit to Beijing after the war and held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
The US watched his visit closely as China is the largest importer of Iranian oil and shares strategic defence ties with Tehran, and has considerable influence over Iran.
After talks with Araghchi, Wang called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible, even as it appreciated Tehran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, a prime demand of Trump to end the war.
Commenting on Wang-Araghchi talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told. And that is what you are doing in the Strait, which is causing you to be globally isolated. You're the bad guy in this."
China's anxieties over the Gulf war increased, especially after Trump imposed a blockade of Iranian ports, restricting Iran's oil exports to China.
Bert Hoffman, former World Bank country director for China, said China wants the Iran war to end because it has many partners in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. "So they don't like to see wars, they like to have stability," he said.
In its editorial on Trump's visit, state-run Global Times said Xi has held multiple telephone conversations and meetings with him, which have helped correct the course of the bilateral relationship and steer it clear of hidden dangers at critical moments.
For China-US relations to truly stabilise and improve in the future, the most fundamental step is to fully and faithfully implement the important consensus reached by both leaders, it said.
From China's point of view, the Taiwan issue was expected to figure prominently in the talks.
Last week, China's Foreign Minister Wang told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during their telephone talks, that the US should make the right choice about the self-ruled Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as part of its own and has been ramping up military pressure on the island with periodic military drills around the island.
VIDEO | Beijing: US President Donald Trump arrives in China for high stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 13, 2026
(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/ceEJGDipbm
