With global leaders sending congratulations and the opposition facing internal challenges, the BJP-led NDA marked a historic day by highlighting India’s rise as a major global power under Modi’s leadership.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, June 10, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday entered the record books as India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure and capping a remarkable political journey that has reshaped the country’s electoral landscape over the past decade.
The milestone coincides with the completion of 12 years of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule at the Centre, prompting a grand gathering of alliance leaders in New Delhi. The celebrations come at a time when the BJP-led coalition is projecting confidence, while the opposition INDIA bloc faces growing internal strains and signs of fragmentation.
Nearly 75 representatives from around 35 NDA constituent parties are expected to attend the meeting, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Modi. Chief Ministers and senior leaders from all 22 NDA-governed states and Union Territories are also participating in what is being billed as a show of unity and strength ahead of the next phase of the government’s agenda.
The NDA conclave follows closely on the heels of a recent meeting of opposition parties under the INDIA banner, underlining the contrasting political fortunes of the ruling alliance and its rivals.
Global Leaders Congratulate Modi
Congratulatory messages poured in from world leaders, many of whom highlighted Modi’s growing influence on the global stage.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described Modi’s achievement as a reflection of the enduring trust placed in him by the people of the world’s largest democracy. In a letter sent earlier this week, Dissanayake also recalled Modi’s role in strengthening bilateral ties and acknowledged India’s assistance during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape praised Modi as a “role model of leadership,” crediting his government with lifting millions out of poverty and transforming India’s global standing. He also referenced Modi’s historic 2023 visit to Papua New Guinea, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar lauded Modi’s rise from humble beginnings to leading a nation of more than 1.4 billion people through three successive electoral victories. She noted that India has emerged as an influential voice in global affairs under his leadership.
Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) posts, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who has created a historic milestone by being elected by the people as India’s Prime Minister and continuously holding office for the longest… pic.twitter.com/BUN2pri9s6
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 10, 2026
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India’s Growing Economic and Strategic Clout
The NDA government used the occasion to highlight India’s transformation over the past 12 years.
India is now the world’s fifth-largest economy and remains among the fastest-growing major economies. Government leaders pointed to sustained economic expansion, rapid infrastructure development, digitalisation, and welfare initiatives as key achievements of the Modi era.
On the strategic front, India has continued to strengthen its defence capabilities amid an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment. Recent international assessments indicate that India has overtaken Pakistan in the number of nuclear warheads and has emerged as the world’s fifth-largest military spender, reflecting sustained investments in defence modernisation, indigenous weapons production, and military preparedness.
Officials say these developments underscore New Delhi’s ambition to establish itself as a leading global power capable of safeguarding its interests across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
A Defining Political Era
Since first taking office in May 2014, Modi has secured three consecutive terms, becoming one of the most dominant political figures in independent India’s history.
His tenure has been marked by major economic reforms, a massive infrastructure push, expansion of digital governance, welfare programmes, and an increasingly assertive foreign policy. Supporters credit him with enhancing India’s global stature and positioning the country as a leading voice of the Global South.
Political analysts note that Modi’s ability to maintain electoral dominance over more than a decade has fundamentally altered India’s political landscape, making the BJP the central pole around which national politics now revolves.
NDA Eyes the Future
Beyond the celebrations, NDA leaders are expected to discuss priorities for the remainder of the government’s third term, including accelerating economic growth, expanding manufacturing, advancing technological self-reliance, and strengthening India’s strategic capabilities.
With speculation over possible realignments within sections of the opposition and renewed confidence within the ruling coalition, NDA leaders believe the coming years could provide an opportunity to push forward key legislative and governance initiatives.
As Narendra Modi crosses a historic milestone, the BJP and its allies are portraying the moment not merely as a celebration of longevity in office, but as evidence of what they describe as India’s emergence as a more confident, economically stronger, and globally influential nation.
