Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached a milestone in his foreign diplomacy, giving his 17th speech to a foreign Parliament — a feat that now matches the cumulative number of such speeches by all Congress Prime Ministers put together over the course of several decades.
This milestone was achieved during his recent five-nation tour in early July 2025, when he spoke to the parliaments of Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Namibia.
PM Modi's persistent engagement on the international stage underscores his standing as one of India's most globally active leaders. His individual diplomatic presence has grown exponentially in a decade and a half, in stark contrast to the collective efforts of his Congress predecessors.
To put things into context: Manmohan Singh gave seven speeches to foreign parliaments, Indira Gandhi gave four, Jawaharlal Nehru gave three, Rajiv Gandhi gave two, and PV Narasimha Rao gave just one.
Modi's rapid ascendancy to this symbolic milestone marks a larger shift in India's foreign policy stance — one that values straight-talking parliamentary outreach and a louder voice for the Global South.
During his visit to Ghana — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than three decades — he was decorated with the high-level Order of the Star of Ghana. At Trinidad & Tobago, he spoke to the Parliament during the country's commemoration of 180 years of the arrival of Indian indentured laborers, reaffirming India's sustained support for fellow developing nations.
Namibia, where he addressed common values of democracy, innovation, and infrastructure, bestowed its highest civilian award on him, and his address was greeted by a standing ovation at Parliament.
Since assuming office in 2014, PM Modi has been addressing legislators from across the length and breadth of the country. His initial year saw visits to parliaments in Australia, Fiji, Bhutan, and Nepal. In 2015, his addresses reached the UK, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Mauritius.
He addressed joint meetings of the US Congress in 2016 and again in 2023. Uganda joined in 2018, the Maldives in 2019, Guyana in 2024, and now three more countries have been added in 2025.
Throughout these visits, Modi has reiterated themes like inclusive growth, democratic values, climate leadership, and the imperative to overhaul global governance institutions like the United Nations and World Trade Organization.
His speeches also represent India's increasing credibility on the global platform and are accompanied by diplomatic symbolism. In Trinidad & Tobago, he addressed from before the same Speaker's Chair that India had given in 1968, terming it a potent symbol of long-standing friendship.
Back home, "Modi, Modi" was being chanted by Namibia's Parliament as he was conferred with the nation's highest civilian honor, attesting to the warmth of bilateral relations.
This milestone is not merely a reflection of Modi’s personal diplomacy; it signifies India's deepening global engagement. As the country prepares to assume the BRICS presidency in 2026 and bolsters partnerships across continents, India’s vision of collaborative progress is being heard with increasing resonance.
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