The chief scientist of China’s first lunar mission has made surprising claims about India’s historic Chandrayaan-3, which was hailed by the Rajya Sabha as a ‘source of national pride.’

Scientist Ouyang Ziyuan has asserted that the Chandrayaan-3 lander did not touch down on the Moon’s southern pole. This statement comes as India endeavors to revive the Vikram lander and Pragyaan rover from hibernation.

According to his claim, the lander didn’t even land near the Moon’s south pole and was far from the polar region of Earth’s natural satellite.