PM Modi in US: Nehru, Atal, Manmohan left everyone behind, Prime Minister Modi has addressed the Parliament of 11 countries in 9 years

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a joint session of the US Congress on Thursday (June 22). He will be on a state visit to the United States of America from June 21 to June 24 this year. The historic invitation was extended to PM Modi by US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Interestingly, this will be the 12th time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the legislature of a foreign nation.

A historic feat that has not been achieved by other world leaders. PM Modi has the distinction of addressing the Parliament of 11 countries in the last 9 years. By doing so, he has gone ahead of all his predecessors. Following is the list of foreign parliaments addressed by PM Narendra Modi.

PM Modi’s address in foreign parliaments

Bhutan: Narendra Modi was invited to address a joint session of the Bhutanese Parliament on 16 June 2014, shortly after becoming the Prime Minister of India. During his speech, he had said that India is committed to good relations with its neighbours. Stability and development in India will help neighbors like Bhutan. During this, a guard of honor was also given to PM Modi.

Nepal: Two months later, in August, he addressed the Constituent Assembly of Nepal. PM Modi had said that our relations with Nepal are as old as the Himalayas and the Ganges. This is the land where Lord Buddha was born, this country has rich cultural heritage…India is looking towards Nepal with hope.

Australia: PM Modi also addressed a joint session of the Australian Parliament on 18 November 2014. This honor was not given to any other Prime Minister before Narendra Modi. During this he had said that today, as I stand in this temple of democracy, I consider nations like mine blessed. Because democracy provides the best opportunity for the human spirit to flourish, because we have the freedom to choose, the right to speak, and the power. To remove and for us in politics, there is no option but to leave with grace.

Fiji: PM Modi was in Suva to address the Fiji Parliament on November 19, 2014, a day after addressing the Parliament in Australia. It was the first time that a world leader was given the opportunity to deliver a speech in the country’s legislature. In May this year, Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest civilian award i.e. Companion of the Order of Fiji (CF) by Prime Minister Sitwini Rubuka.

Sri Lanka: On March 13, 2015, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Parliament of the island nation of Sri Lanka. This was also the first time the opportunity was given to an Indian PM. He said during his historic address that I believe that the future of any country is affected by the condition of its neighborhood. The future that I dream for India, I wish for the same future for my neighbors. We are on the same journey in this area. To transform the lives of your people.

Mongolia: Two months later, he was in Mongolia to address the ‘State Great Khural’ (the country’s unicameral parliament). Interestingly, this was the first time that an Indian Prime Minister had visited the East Asian country.

United Kingdom: On 12 November 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his historic speech in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. He had said that much of India’s modern history is linked to this building. There is a lot of history floating around in our relationship.

Afghanistan: The Government of India assisted in the construction of the Parliament of the war-torn country of Afghanistan. Inaugurating the building on December 25, 2015, Prime Minister Modi had said that the country, which firmly believes in the tradition of Jirga, has chosen the path of democracy.

United States of america: On June 9, 2016, PM Modi addressed a joint session of the US Congress. He had said that ‘by giving me this opportunity, you have honored the world’s largest democracy and its 125 crore people. As a representative of the world’s largest democracy, it is indeed a privilege to speak to the leaders of its oldest democracy.

Uganda: On July 15, 2018, he addressed the Parliament of Uganda, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to receive such a privilege. PM Modi had then said that today, India and Africa stand on the threshold of a future of great potential… India is proud to be a partner of Africa. Uganda is central to our commitment to the continent.

Maldives: Narendra Modi addressed the Parliament of Maldives on June 8, 2019. During the speech, the Indian Prime Minister had said that neighborhood is our priority first. Maldives is a priority in the neighbourhood. Therefore, it is no coincidence that I am standing among you today.

What do the figures say from Nehru to Atal

Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed foreign parliaments a total of 7 times during his 10-year tenure. The number is less for Indira Gandhi, who got this opportunity only 4 times in 15 years. India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, addressed foreign legislatures a total of 3 times in 16 years. PM Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee could do this twice during their 5 year tenure. PV Narasimha Rao and Morarji Desai got a chance only once.