Prime Minister Narendra Modi has matched a significant diplomatic milestone—delivering his 17th address in a foreign nation’s Parliament, equalling the combined total of all Congress Prime Ministers in independent India’s history. The landmark was reached during his speech to the Namibian Parliament, where he received a standing ovation and sustained applause from lawmakers.
As part of his recent five-nation tour to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, PM Modi addressed the Parliaments of Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Namibia—reaffirming India’s commitment to the Global South and strengthening diplomatic outreach through parliamentary diplomacy.
PM Modi’s journey of parliamentary addresses began in 2014, with speeches in the Parliaments of Australia, Fiji, Bhutan, and Nepal. He followed this with addresses in Mauritius, Mongolia, Afghanistan, the UK, and Sri Lanka in 2015, and in Uganda (2018), the Maldives (2019), Guyana (2024), and the United States Congress twice—in 2016 and 2023.
In total, his 17 speeches equal the tally of Congress Prime Ministers, which includes:
- Manmohan Singh – 7
- Indira Gandhi – 4
- Jawaharlal Nehru – 3
- Rajiv Gandhi – 2
- PV Narasimha Rao – 1
Additionally, Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed foreign parliaments twice, and Morarji Desai once.
In a post on X, the BJP hailed PM Modi’s diplomatic achievement, stating “With his recent addresses in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Namibia, PM Modi has now delivered 17 speeches to foreign Parliaments—matching the combined total of all Congress Prime Ministers over several decades. He has achieved in just over a decade what took others generations.”
During his Namibian address, PM Modi emphasized India’s vision for its relationship with Africa—founded on respect, equality, and shared growth, not competition.
“Our goal is to build together, not to take, but to grow together,” he said, referencing India’s $12 billion development partnership across the continent.
PM Modi reiterated India’s support for Africa’s Agenda 2063 for industrialisation, expanded cooperation in defense and security, and India’s role in championing Africa’s voice globally—particularly during its G20 presidency, which welcomed the African Union as a permanent G20 member.
He also highlighted India’s solidarity with Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reaffirmed India’s healthcare support through initiatives like Aarogya Maitri and Jan Aushadhi, as well as the provision of Indian-made medical equipment such as the Bhabhatron radiotherapy machine.
PM Modi concluded his five-nation diplomatic tour on Wednesday and departed for New Delhi. The trip—spanning South America, the Caribbean, and Africa—marked a strategic effort to expand India’s global footprint, enhance South-South cooperation, and forge deeper ties with emerging economies.
With this tour, PM Modi not only strengthened India’s bilateral relationships but also further established himself as a global statesman with an unmatched record in engaging world legislatures.
