Radio Brisvaani
Canberra, June 14 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister, praising his leadership in transforming the nation’s economy, strengthening its global standing and deepening ties with Australia.
In a public message marking the milestone, Morrison said Modi had overseen one of the most significant periods of change in modern India’s history, helping to drive economic growth, reduce poverty and foster a renewed sense of national confidence.
“Warm congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister,” Morrison said.
He noted that under Modi’s stewardship, India had emerged as one of the world’s major economic powers while lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and promoting greater self-reliance.
Morrison also paid tribute to Modi’s contribution on the world stage, describing him as a respected international leader who had combined a strong defence of India’s national interests with a commitment to building productive partnerships across the globe.
“On the international stage, Narendra has been a true statesman. He is a voice of reason, pragmatism and wisdom,” Morrison said.
The former Australian leader highlighted Modi’s role in strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly through the Quad Leaders’ Dialogue involving Australia, India, Japan and the United States.
“His strong and passionate advocacy for India’s national interests has combined maintaining India’s long history of independence with forging new and closer relationships with friends and partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific through the Quad Leader’s dialogue where we served together as founding members, and in particular with Australia,” he said.
Morrison further commended Modi’s efforts in representing developing nations and elevating India’s influence among emerging economies.
“PM Modi must also be commended for his global role in championing and leading the ‘Global South’, where India and the Modi Government’s policies serve as a practical guide for these developing economies,” he said.
Recalling his own tenure as Australian Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, Morrison reflected on the significant advances made in bilateral relations between Canberra and New Delhi during that period.
He said he had worked closely with Modi to elevate Australia-India ties to an unprecedented level through the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, a landmark framework that expanded cooperation across defence, maritime affairs, security and economic engagement.
“As PM of Australia from 2018-2022 I was pleased to work alongside Narendra as we elevated our bilateral relationship to its highest ever level with the establishment of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, forged in the midst of COVID, spanning defence, maritime, security and economic cooperation,” Morrison said.
He noted that the growing partnership culminated in the first trade agreement between Australia and India in 2022, a breakthrough widely viewed as a major achievement in the relationship between the two countries.
“This culminated in our first ever trade agreement in 2022,” he said.
Morrison said the strategic partnership remained one of the accomplishments of which he was most proud and thanked Modi for his commitment to ensuring its long-term success.
“This partnership is one I am proud of and also grateful to Narendra for his personal commitment to ensuring it is one that will endure,” he said.
Concluding his message, Morrison offered a personal tribute to the Indian Prime Minister, writing: “Congratulations, my friend.”
Modi’s achievement marks another significant chapter in India’s political history and reflects his enduring influence on the nation’s economic development, foreign policy and growing role in regional and global affairs.
