Why hasn’t Sunita Williams met Modi
Sunita Williams is an Indian-origin American who has achieved extraordinary feats in the world of space. Her father is from India, specifically from Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Modi. As one of NASA’s most prominent astronauts, Sunita Williams recently bid farewell to her long and illustrious career of 27 years. Her visit to India, shortly after her retirement, has created a sensation across the country.
Actively participating in events like the Kerala Literature Festival (2026) and educational programs in Delhi, she has become a fountain of inspiration for Indian students. Wherever she goes, people and students are flocking to meet her, talk to her, and take photographs.
Despite such grand achievements, questions have arisen as to why there has been no official congratulation, felicitation, or welcome from either the Government of India or the Government of Gujarat. In search of an answer, a dark chapter of Gujarat politics involving Sunita’s family background has once again come to the forefront. The silence maintained by the Central and Gujarat governments—who are usually the first to congratulate international achievers of Indian origin—has raised many suspicions this time regarding Sunita.
Behind this silence lies the mysterious murder of Gujarat’s former Home Minister Haren Pandya 23 years ago, and his close family ties with Sunita. Sunita Williams’ father, Deepak Pandya, and Vithalbhai Pandya (Haren’s father) were biological brothers.
Haren Pandya was Sunita’s first cousin (her paternal uncle’s son). Sunita shared a very close bond with him. In 1998, when Haren Pandya contested the Gujarat Assembly elections from the Ellisbridge constituency, Sunita Williams traveled from America to Gujarat to campaign for him. Photographs of her participating in Haren Pandya’s victory celebrations remain a testament to those memories today. Haren Pandya was one of Gujarat’s most influential and popular leaders.
However, after Narendra Modi took office as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, differences surfaced between the two. Haren Pandya refused to vacate his constituency for Narendra Modi. Later, during the Gujarat riots, he spoke out against Narendra Modi. He made serious allegations against Modi and the government before a judge.
Haren Pandya had alleged that in a meeting with police officers on February 27, 2002 (after the Sabarmati train burning), CM Modi had instructed that there would be a Hindu backlash to the Godhra tragedy and that no action should be taken to stop it. As a result of these stances, he was denied a ticket in the subsequent elections. On March 26, 2003, Haren Pandya was murdered while out for a morning walk. This remains one of the most controversial cases in India.
Haren’s father, Vithalbhai Pandya, directly termed his son’s death a “political murder.” He leveled direct accusations against the then Gujarat government. In 2004, Vithalbhai Pandya even contested against BJP candidate L.K. Advani in the Gandhinagar constituency. Although 12 people were convicted in the investigation, suspicions remain to this day regarding who the “mastermind” behind the murder was. Vithalbhai Pandya had accused the CBI and Gujarat Police of sabotaging the investigation.
Analysts suggest that this old political history might be the reason for the neutral stance adopted by the Central and Gujarat governments during Sunita Williams’ recent space success. Even in 2007, when Sunita Williams first returned from space, contemporary media reports noted that the Gujarat government had maintained a similar distance.
It is said that even now, though she has retired and returned to India, the ruling party has kept its distance because her visit to Haren Pandya’s memorial might cause them political embarrassment. Sunita Williams has shared her deep love for India. She spoke of the beauty of the Himalayas from space, the flow of the Ganges, and India’s coastlines. She remarked, “While in space, I missed my dear mother and my dog very much.” She also noted that “in space, tears do not fall; instead, they stay in the eye as a bubble.” From space, the view of the Earth is a magnificent panorama, where India shines like a star, and the sight of rivers joining the sea near the Himalayas is breathtaking. Sunita Williams’ achievements are etched in history as a legacy to be remembered forever. Despite being an Indian-origin American, she has achieved greatness as a woman.