Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday became India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, completing 4,399 consecutive days in office and surpassing the record held by the country's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
The milestone is expected to be formally acknowledged at a major National Democratic Alliance (NDA) conclave in New Delhi, where senior leaders of the ruling coalition will review governance priorities and discuss the alliance's future roadmap.
The meeting, scheduled at Bharat Mandapam, will be attended by chief ministers, deputy chief ministers and senior leaders from all 22 NDA-ruled states and Union Territories. Prime Minister Modi is expected to chair the conclave, alongside Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and other senior leaders.
The NDA is likely to pass a resolution congratulating PM Modi on becoming the country's longest continuously serving elected Prime Minister.
While former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi spent more than 14 years in office, her tenure was not continuous. In contrast, PM Modi has remained in office uninterrupted since assuming power in 2014, enabling him to surpass Nehru's record for continuous service after India's first general elections.
Nehru's tenure from 1952 onwards is considered for the comparison, as he headed the interim government before the first general elections.
The NDA conclave is expected to deliberate on a wide range of issues, including the implementation of flagship welfare schemes, major infrastructure projects and measures to ensure benefits reach the last mile.
According to reports, discussions will also focus on the roadmap for achieving the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, as well as developments in West Asia.
Leaders of NDA allies, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, are expected to participate in the meeting.
The gathering is being viewed as both a celebration of the coalition's 12-year journey and an opportunity to outline governance and political priorities for the years ahead.
Ahead of the milestone, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted what it described as a significant transformation in India's foreign policy over the past 12 years.
In a post on X, the ministry said India's diplomatic engagement under PM Modi's leadership had strengthened both "Brand India" and the country's global standing.
The MEA cited initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, promotion of India's digital public infrastructure including the global expansion of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and India's role as a voice of the Global South and a first responder during international crises.
"Over the last 12 years, India's foreign policy has witnessed a remarkable transformation, strengthening both Brand India and India's standing on the global stage under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi," the ministry said.
The achievement has drawn congratulatory messages from political leaders, global dignitaries and members of the Indian diaspora.
According to reports, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described the milestone as a reflection of the trust repeatedly placed in PM Modi by the people of India.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar also praised PM Modi's leadership and India's growing influence on the global stage.
Tributes also came from the United States, with Senator John Cornyn congratulating PM Modi on the achievement. Business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora credited his tenure with strengthening India's international profile and deepening India-US relations.