New Delhi:
The milestone coincided with the completion of 12 years of the Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. Senior alliance leaders, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers and representatives of constituent parties gathered at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital to mark the occasion and review the NDA’s governance priorities.
The Union Cabinet passed a resolution applauding Modi’s record and gave him a standing ovation. It described the milestone as a significant moment in India’s democratic journey, reflecting public trust, political stability and sustained leadership.
Addressing the NDA meeting, Modi said he had never imagined that he would one day achieve the distinction and described it as a privilege made possible by the support of the people.
“You have all made this day truly memorable for me. I am overwhelmed and deeply grateful,” Modi said. Invoking the mantra of “Chareveti, Chareveti” — keep moving forward — he said he considered it his “supreme privilege” to have served continuously as an elected Prime Minister for the longest tenure.
Modi said he viewed public service as a spiritual practice and described the people as the embodiment of God. He credited party colleagues, alliance partners and public representatives with contributing to what he termed a collective effort to serve the nation.
The Prime Minister also called for sustained efforts to prevent those who had emerged from poverty and entered the “neo-middle class” from slipping back. He said the government and elected representatives must work continuously to fulfil the aspirations of India’s youth, women, middle class and farmers.
The NDA conclave focused on the government’s achievements over the past 12 years and its roadmap for a developed India by 2047. Leaders discussed welfare delivery, infrastructure expansion, economic reforms, ease of living and coordination between the Centre and the states.
In a sharp attack on the Congress, Modi said the country had been left in an “abyss of helplessness, destitution and inferiority complex” during decades of Congress rule. He argued that the sluggish pace of economic growth during the period from the 1950s to the 1980s had been wrongly labelled the “Hindu growth rate”.
“The style, responsibility and failure were all Congress’s, but the stigma was pinned on the country’s vast Hindu population,” he said, adding that it should instead have been called the “Congress growth rate”.
Modi said the pace of development began to change under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government and accelerated further after the NDA returned to power in 2014. He said projects that previously took decades were now being completed in months.
Citing infrastructure figures, Modi said the number of airports had risen from 74 in 2014 to more than 160 by 2026, while the expressway network had expanded from 1,000 km to 6,700 km. Metro services, he said, had grown from five cities in 2014 to more than 20 cities by 2026.
He also highlighted the rise in defence exports from Rs 700 crore in 2014 to Rs 23,000 crore in 2026, and said the number of internet users had increased from 25 crore to more than 100 crore during the same period. India, he added, now ranked first in digital transactions.
The Prime Minister said India, which imported most of its mobile phones in 2014, now manufactured more than 330 million handsets domestically. Solar capacity, he said, had risen from 2.5 gigawatts to more than 150 gigawatts, while ethanol blending had increased from 1.5 per cent to 20 per cent.
Modi also pointed to the construction of more than 10 semiconductor units and the creation of separate ministries for skill development, cooperation and fisheries. He said the government had extended Kisan Credit Card benefits to livestock rearers and fisherfolk and introduced credit support for street vendors.
“This illustrates the difference between the Congress-era growth rate and the NDA-era growth rate,” Modi said. “One system kept people waiting; today’s system delivers results. One system used to stall and derail work; today’s system ensures that work gets done on time and on a massive scale.”
He said the achievements had come amid global instability, including the Covid-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty. India, he noted, recorded a growth rate of 7.7 per cent in 2025-26, with growth at 7.8 per cent in the quarter ending March 31.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated Modi, saying the achievement reflected the enduring confidence placed in his leadership, vision and commitment to national development. He highlighted expanded diplomatic outreach, crisis evacuations, mobility partnerships and stronger support systems for Indians abroad.
Congratulatory messages also poured in from leaders across the world. Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay described Modi as a “friend, brother and mentor”, while Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with India.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the milestone reflected Modi’s years of public service and leadership in advancing India’s development and global standing. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised his commitment to national development and his contribution to strengthening India-Nigeria relations.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said his country looked forward to deeper cooperation with India based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and shared interests. Kenyan President William Ruto described Modi’s political journey as a testament to dedication, perseverance and public service.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung acknowledged Modi’s role in India’s progress and expressed confidence in advancing the Korea-India Special Strategic Partnership. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated her commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also congratulated Modi and called for deeper cooperation with India.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali described Modi as a strong voice of the Global South and praised India’s digital public infrastructure, infrastructure expansion and economic progress. Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam said India stood tall among the world’s great nations under Modi’s leadership.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he looked forward to strengthening the renewed India-Canada partnership. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the milestone as a reflection of India’s institutional vitality, while Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi highlighted Modi’s contribution to the advancement of India-Japan relations.
Messages also came from leaders and dignitaries from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago. Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Modi’s tenure as transformative, praising India’s economic modernisation, digital expansion and growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Several NDA leaders highlighted the government’s focus on welfare, infrastructure and national security. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described Modi as a symbol of decisive leadership, national pride and inclusive development.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented Modi with a letter expressing the gratitude of the people of his state. He credited the Prime Minister with bringing the North East to the centre of national priorities and accelerating development through investments in infrastructure, connectivity, energy and manufacturing.
The Cabinet resolution cited welfare schemes, free foodgrains for more than 80 crore people, expanded healthcare access, direct benefit transfers and infrastructure development among the government’s major achievements.
Modi said the vision of a developed India was no longer limited to one person, government or political party. “It has become the dream and the resolve of every single person in the country,” he said, calling for renewed efforts to achieve the goal.