Eleven Years In: PM Modi Marks NDA Milestone with Focus on National Strength

As the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) clocks eleven years at the helm of India’s central government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a moment—on social media, fittingly—to reflect on the road so far. His message was straightforward, even celebratory: India, he suggested, is stronger now than it was a decade ago. And it’s not just a claim of economic growth or social progress, but of something deeper—what he called a collective resolve to make the nation more self-reliant, especially in defence.

“The last 11 years have marked significant changes in our defence sector, with a clear focus on both modernisation and becoming self-reliant… It is gladdening to see how the people of India have come together with the resolve of making India stronger,” Modi said in a tweet posted here.

The NDA’s first term began in 2014, following a sweeping general election victory that largely sidelined the Congress-led UPA. Since then, Modi has led with a kind of ideological certainty—and polarizing clarity—that few Indian leaders have matched in recent memory.

Defence Modernisation: Symbol or Substance?

Modi’s emphasis on defence is worth noting. Over the past few years, the government has leaned heavily into the idea of Atmanirbharta—roughly translated as “self-reliance”—especially in military production. Whether it’s the push for indigenously developed systems like the Tejas fighter jet or the reworking of procurement rules to prioritize local manufacturers, the policy shift is real.

According to a recent report by SIPRI, India remains one of the world’s top arms importers—but the share of imports from traditional suppliers like Russia has been declining, a trend partly fueled by the NDA’s push for domestic capability. Still, it’s hard to argue that India is anywhere near strategic autonomy in defence. So there’s still a long road ahead, depending on how you measure it.

Public Sentiment: Still in Modi’s Corner?

What stands out more than any sectoral achievement, though, is the way Modi continues to shape public narrative. Eleven years is a long time in Indian politics. The Congress was in power for a similar stretch from 2004 to 2014, but by its third term, fatigue had clearly set in. For Modi, however, the connection with his core base seems largely intact—even if the 2024 general election results were tighter than expected.

Whether that unity he speaks of—this “coming together”—is widespread or partisan is debatable. India is more fractured than ever along religious, regional, and economic lines. And yet, it’s also true that Modi has managed to instill a kind of purpose, at least in his supporters, that few leaders in democracies today can boast.

Final Thought (For Now)

To be honest, it’s hard to fully assess an era while you’re still living in it. Eleven years under the NDA have brought transformation. What remains to be seen is whether this promise of national strength is inclusive—or selective.

Either way, the next few years may tell us more than the last decade did.