CANBERRA, June 14 / INDIAN ABROAD NEWSDESK
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister, describing him as a transformative leader, a statesman on the global stage, and a steadfast friend of Australia.
In a message shared on social media, Morrison said Prime Minister Modi’s tenure had overseen a remarkable transformation of India, helping to create one of the world’s leading economies while lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.
“Warm congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister,” Morrison wrote.
He credited Modi with fostering a renewed sense of national confidence and self-reliance in India while steering the country through a period of rapid economic growth and global influence.
Reflecting on Modi’s international role, Morrison described the Indian leader as “a voice of reason, pragmatism and wisdom” whose advocacy for India’s national interests had been balanced with efforts to build stronger partnerships around the world.
Morrison highlighted the deepening strategic relationship between Australia and India during their time in office, particularly through cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and the leaders’ engagement in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad.
He noted that both leaders were among the founding participants in the Quad leaders’ dialogue, which has emerged as a significant platform for cooperation among 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 Leaders’ Dialogue,” Morrison said.
The former Australian leader also praised Modi’s efforts in championing the interests of developing nations, saying India had become a leading voice for the Global South.
According to Morrison, the policies pursued by the Modi government provide a practical model for developing economies seeking growth, self-reliance and improved living standards.
Morrison served as Australia’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, a period during which Canberra and New Delhi significantly expanded cooperation across defence, maritime security, trade and economic engagement.
He recalled working closely with Modi to elevate bilateral ties to their highest level through the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, a landmark agreement reached during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The partnership broadened cooperation across a wide range of sectors and laid the foundation for deeper strategic and economic collaboration between the two countries.
Morrison said the strengthening relationship culminated in the signing of the countries’ first bilateral trade agreement in 2022, a milestone widely regarded as a major step forward in Australia-India relations.
Describing the partnership as one of the achievements of which he is most proud, Morrison thanked Modi for his personal commitment to ensuring the relationship continues to flourish.
“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 note of appreciation to the Indian Prime Minister.
“Congratulations, my friend,” he wrote.
Modi’s latest milestone adds to his growing place in India’s political history, with the Prime Minister continuing to shape the country’s economic, diplomatic and strategic trajectory while strengthening India’s partnerships across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
