Eleven years, one vision: PM Modi's tenure marks historic milestone in Indian governance
Having completed 4,078 days in office in a single stretch, PM Modi's eleven-year journey at the helm of India's government reflects not just longevity but a seismic transformation across multiple facets of national life -- economy, infrastructure, diplomacy, and social welfare.
His emergence as a defining political figure of the post-Independence generation is especially notable given that he is the first Prime Minister born after 1947 and the longest-serving leader from a non-Hindi-speaking state.
Beginning with his dramatic electoral victory in 2014, PM Modi initiated sweeping changes with a mandate built on governance reform and economic development.
The rollout of the Goods and Services Tax in 2017 marked a historic restructuring of India's tax architecture, replacing a fragmented system with a unified framework aimed at streamlining business across state lines.
In tandem with this reform came a strong emphasis on domestic production. Campaigns such as 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' aimed to bolster manufacturing, reduce dependence on imports, and create a self-reliant economic model.
One of PM Modi's most consequential impacts has been in the realm of digital governance.
Under his leadership, Digital India reimagined the relationship between citizen and state, bringing services online and increasing transparency.
Platforms like UPI revolutionised payment systems, enabling billions of transactions that placed India at the forefront of financial tech.
The 'Jan Dhan Yojana' further expanded access to banking, drawing millions of previously unbanked individuals into the formal financial ecosystem. These measures brought fiscal empowerment to the grassroots and laid the groundwork for direct benefit transfers that minimised leakages in welfare schemes.
Infrastructure development under PM Modi has been another hallmark.
Road construction tripled in pace, and flagship initiatives like 'Bharatmala' and 'Sagarmala' pushed connectivity to the forefront of the development agenda.
Air travel was made more accessible through the UDAN scheme, and rail modernisation arrived in the form of Vande Bharat trains -- symbolising speed, efficiency, and Indian innovation.
In defence and national security, PM Modi presided over a more assertive and globally visible India. Whether it was the retaliatory strikes in Uri and Balakot or the revamping of defence procurement and exports, his government shifted the narrative from strategic restraint to proactive engagement.
The 'Agnipath' Scheme exemplifies this new posture -- aimed at recalibrating military recruitment towards younger, agile cadres.
Social welfare saw significant expansion with Ayushman Bharat offering health coverage to over 55 crore people, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana delivering millions of homes to rural and urban beneficiaries.
Ujjwala Yojana provided clean cooking fuel to households long dependent on polluting biomass, reducing health hazards and empowering women in domestic spaces.
On the global front, PM Modi's foreign policy emphasised strategic autonomy, regional leadership, and global stature.
India hosted the G20 summit in 2023, enhancing its profile as a key player in global governance.
His current diplomatic engagements in the UK and Maldives illustrate continued outreach and negotiation, reinforcing India's evolving role in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
PM Narendra Modi's tenure reflects an ambitious re-engineering of governance and national priorities, framed by centralisation of power and charismatic leadership.
His success in leading six consecutive election victories -- three each as Gujarat Chief Minister and Prime Minister -- cements him as a rare political figure whose electoral performance matches administrative longevity.
While debates around institutional checks and democratic transparency continue, his 11 years in office mark a decisive chapter in India's post-liberalisation story, one shaped by bold decisions, massive public engagement, and an enduring resonance with a broad electoral base.
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Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Modi tells NDA meet Oppn scored self-goal on Sindoor
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at opposition parties while addressing lawmakers from the National Democratic Alliance, saying that by criticising the government on Operation Sindoor they forced a discussion on an issue that was 'his turf'. Modi took potshots at Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, without naming him. 'He said there is an opposition leader prone to making childish comments. (ANI) A resolution saluting the valour of the armed forces and hailing the Prime Minister's 'unwavering resolve, visionary statesmanship and resolute command' was passed at the meeting. According to people privy to the details, the PM while speaking about Operation Sindoor, India's military strikes against terror camps in Pakistan and PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir), said the Opposition scored a self goal by seeking a discussion on the issue in Parliament. 'The PM said the Opposition must be ruing its decision to force a discussion… he said he was standing there to defend the country and even the gods gave their support to him,' said a party leader, speaking on condition of anonymity. A special discussion on the operation took place in both Houses of Parliament, with the PM speaking on the issue in the Lok Sabha on July 29. In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition walked out in protest against the PM's absence when the government fielded Union home minister Amit Shah to speak on the issue. Modi took potshots at Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, without naming him. 'He said there is an opposition leader prone to making childish comments. And made a reference to the Supreme Court's comments about Gandhi's remarks about the Indian army during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022,' said the person quoted above. 'He said there is an idiom in Hindi about shooting oneself in the foot, when an MP said it was known as 'aa bail mujhe maar'. The PM said he does not want to use such words, but indicated his disapproval of the LoP,' said a second person present at the meeting. The PM, who was addressing the NDA lawmakers after nearly a year, also reflected on the journey of the alliance and recalled how Atal Bihar Vajpayee, LK Advani, George Fernandes, Bala Saheb Thackeray and Nitish Kumar came together to form a coalition. Giving details of the meeting, Union parliamentary minister, Kiren Rijiju said the PM reflected on the journey of the NDA that was formed 25 years ago and 'shared details of how the NDA, as an organic body, should move forward and lead the country's journey'. 'The PM said had these people not come together, they (Congress) would have continued their misrule… His statement was an endorsement of the NDA's cohesion and he said the parties should work together, letting the stronger ally to lead in their respective regions,' said the second leader. On Rahul Gandhi making comments about the territorial integrity of the country, the PM said no one can get away with making irresponsible comments about the security of the country. 'He spoke about the statements made by Gandhi about the territorial issues and security of the country,' Rijiju said. The MPs gave a standing ovation to the PM for his leadership and political will to deal with terrorism and greeted him with slogans of Har Har Mahadev. The resolution passed at the meeting saluted 'the unmatched courage and unwavering commitment of our armed forces, who showed heroic valour during Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev.' 'Their courage highlights their unflinching devotion to protecting our nation. We pay our deepest condolences and respects to those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack,' the resolution said. The lawmakers from the BJP and its allies, the TDP, the JDU and other parties also felicitated the 'exceptional leadership' displayed by Prime Minister Modi. 'His unwavering resolve, visionary statesmanship and resolute command have not only steered the nation with purpose but also ignited a renewed spirit of unity and pride in the hearts of all Indians,' it said. Operation Sindoor was executed in response to April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which India said was perpetrated by Pakistan-based terrorist group, The Resistance Front (TRF), a front and proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attack left 26 dead. 'If there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given. We will give a befitting response on our terms only… Secondly, India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail…Thirdly, we will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism,' the resolution noted, highlighting the new normal in dealing with the issue. A reference was also made to the government's focus on indigenisation of defence capabilities and to the diplomatic outreach that was launched after the operation.
Indian Express
32 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Elevating ties, Manila hails Delhi's defence capabilities, BrahMos
Calling India and the Philippines as two countries which are 'friends by choice and partners by destiny', Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held talks Tuesday with visiting President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. As Marcos underlined 'satisfaction over the rapid pace of the Philippines' ongoing defense modernisation and the expanding capabilities and footprint of India's indigenous defense industry as a partner in this undertaking, exemplified by our BrahMos project,' the two countries, focusing on greater defence cooperation and maritime security, brought out a Plan of Action (2025-2029) to guide the strategic partnership over the next five years. They also agreed to start talks on a preferential trade agreement. The elevation of ties was announced after talks between Modi and Marcos, just a day after the navies of the two countries conducted their first joint drill off the Philippines coast, in the South China Sea. India and the Philippines also signed nine agreements. These include talks among the armies, air forces and navies of the two countries and cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space. At a joint press briefing along with Marcos who is in India on a five-day visit, Modi said, 'India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny. From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past, it is a promise to the future.' He said the Philippines is an important partner in India's Act East Policy. 'We are committed to peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws,' Modi said, emphasising that the enhanced defence relations between the two countries are a symbol of deep mutual trust. He thanked the government of the Philippines for condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, and for standing with India in the fight against terrorism. 'As maritime nations, maritime cooperation between the two countries is both natural and essential. We have been working together in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, search and rescue,' he said. 'Today, when the President is in India, three ships of the Indian Navy are participating in a naval exercise in the Philippines for the first time,' Modi said. Last Saturday, India and the Philippines began 'bilateral maritime cooperative activity'. Sources said India joined the efforts owing to its shared concerns about China's growing maritime power, including in the South China Sea. And at a media briefing on the Presidential visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said India's position on the South China Sea is 'clear and consistent' and it considers it as part of the global commons. In response to a query on the bilateral naval exercise, MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran said India has an 'abiding interest' in peace and stability in the region. Kumaran said India is in talks with the Philippines for development of submarine infrastructure. On Tuesday, Marcos said Modi and he agreed to cooperate further in the defence and security sector. 'India becomes only the fifth strategic partner for the Philippines. This new apex attests as much to the remarkably rapid growth, broadening and deepening of our 75-year-old bilateral relationship, the possibilities represented by the strong upward trajectory of our true economies as it does to the growing alignment of our interests and views on the challenges and imperatives of our time,' he said. 'We agreed to continue levelling up our collaboration in defence and security,' he said. India delivered the first batch of BrahMos missile system to the Philippines on April 19, 2024, making it the first foreign nation to acquire the missile weapon system. 'We express satisfaction over the rapid pace of the Philippines' ongoing defense modernisation and the expanding capabilities and footprint of India's indigenous defense industry as a partner in this undertaking, exemplified by our BrahMos project. We concurred that it should be accompanied with intensified dialogue and exchanges between our defense establishments,' Marcos said. The two countries have also agreed to establish mechanisms for service-to-service talks for information sharing and training exchanges among the militaries. 'We will foster naval and coast guard interoperability via port calls in cooperative activities and capacity building in the maritime domain,' he said. Modi said trade between the two countries was increasing and had crossed $3 billion. 'To further strengthen trade ties, it is our priority to review the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement at the earliest. We have also decided to work towards a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement,' he said. Meanwhile, direct flights from Delhi to Manila are expected to commence operations from October 1 this year, MEA officials said, adding that the two countries are exploring possibilities to expand air links to additional destinations to provide a strong push to tourism, business, and people-to-people contacts. During the joint press briefing, Marcos announced visa-free entry privileges for Indian tourists, and Modi reciprocated with a gratis e-visa facility for visitors from the Philippines. Marcos said that this visit made him the fifth President of the Philippines to visit India, following in his father's footsteps, who was the first President of the Philippines to visit India. Condemning the Pahalgam terror attack, he said, 'I carry the message of our solidarity with India both over the tragic attack in Pahalgam earlier this year and in the broader fight against terrorism.' With India and the Philippines celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations, the two leaders released a postage stamp to commemorate the occasion. On Tuesday, Marcos was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He visited Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. It was followed by bilateral talks between Modi and Marcos. Thereafter, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of bilateral documents. Engagements of President Marcos also include a call on President Droupadi Murmu, followed by a banquet hosted in his honour. He will also be visiting Bengaluru. Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India. ... Read More
Indian Express
32 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: Solid support
Not all in Kerala BJP were happy about the party leadership's intervention in the matter of two Kerala nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion, but state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar was unperturbed as his move was supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it is learnt. According to party insiders, when Chandrasekhar met PM Modi last week, the latter was very supportive of his request. Many say it was Modi's intervention that silenced any resistance within the party in Kerala as well as Chhattisgarh. The PM has repeatedly asked party leaders to woo the Christians in Kerala as a Christian-Hindu consolidation would only help the BJP emerge as an alternative in the state. Post From Past THE ARMY'S Eastern Command on Tuesday shared a news clip on X from August 5, 1971 that highlighted the role of the United States nearly 20 years prior to the 1971 war in arming Pakistan. The headline of the article read: 'US Arms Worth $2 Billion Shipped to Pakistan Since '54'. The post, shared at a time when the US is threatening India with steeper tariffs over Russian oil trade and Delhi calling it 'unjustified and unreasonable targeting', has raised many eyebrows but military insiders maintain it's a 'sheer coincidence' and not related to the current impasse. Sweet Start THE INAUGURAL day events of the new Common Central Secretariat building, Kartavya Bhawan, on Wednesday is likely to end on a sweet note for those attending the evening event. It is learnt that the thousands of government officials and other guests who are expected to attend the programme on Kartavya Path will be given 'motichoor laddoos'. The inauguration marks the completion of the first of the 10 new office buildings proposed under the Central Vista plan.
