During his five-nation tour, which concludes on Wednesday, Modi addressed parliaments of Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Namibia.

Sources said Congress prime ministers together – Manmohan Singh (7), Indira Gandhi (4), Jawaharlal Nehru (3), Rajiv Gandhi (2) and PV Narasimha Rao (1) – delivered 17 such speeches over several decades.

Modi has equalled that tally, underlining his stature as one of India’s most globally engaged leaders, officials said.

He has spoken at parliaments of developed and developing nations, reflecting the wide global respect and relevance India commands today.

“India stood with many countries in the Global South during their independence struggles. They listened to us then, and they still want to hear us today, especially on our democratic and development journey,” an official said.

The countries where he has addressed parliamentarians include the US, Australia, Britain, Nepal, Mongolia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Guyana, Fiji and Uganda. PTI KR RT RT