New Delhi, Aug 15 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a new milestone by delivering his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, overtaking former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s record of 11 consecutive speeches.

The streak began in 2014, the year Modi assumed office, and has continued uninterrupted each year. With this, he now holds the second-highest number of consecutive Independence Day speeches by a Prime Minister, behind Jawaharlal Nehru, who addressed the nation 17 times in a row.

This year’s address focused on key themes including Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), Viksit Bharat (Developed India by 2047), and initiatives to strengthen the economy. Modi also emphasized national unity, the role of technology, and support for small businesses, while highlighting achievements in infrastructure, defence, and social welfare.

Political observers note that this record reflects both the stability of Modi’s leadership and the symbolic importance of the annual Independence Day speech as a platform to outline the government’s vision.

The achievement comes at a time when the Prime Minister is also pushing forward significant reforms, including recent announcements on GST rate cuts for essential goods, aimed at easing the cost of living for citizens.