Prime Minister Narendra Modi has overtaken Jawaharlal Nehru to become India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister, marking a significant milestone in the country’s political history.
Having surpassed Nehru’s elected tenure of 4,398 days in office, PM Modi now holds the record for the longest uninterrupted stint by an elected Prime Minister.
The achievement comes as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) marks 12 years in power at the Centre.
To commemorate the occasion, NDA leaders are set to gather in New Delhi and are expected to adopt a resolution congratulating Modi on the landmark feat, with senior leaders from the BJP and its alliance partners likely to participate in the celebrations.
On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition.
A brewing global fertiliser crunch is threatening to sharply increase India’s subsidy burden, highlighting the country’s continued dependence on volatile international markets for key agricultural inputs.
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a critical hub for fertiliser production and exports, have pushed up the prices of ammonia, urea, sulphur and other essential nutrients, raising concerns about both supply and affordability.
To shield farmers from higher costs, the government may have to substantially increase subsidy support, potentially driving expenditure far beyond budgeted estimates.
The situation underscores the delicate balance policymakers must maintain between protecting farmers and managing fiscal pressures.
With India importing a significant share of its fertiliser requirements, any prolonged disruption in global supply chains could have far-reaching implications for agricultural productivity, food security and the government’s finances.
The escalating crisis in West Asia is beginning to take a toll on Indian exporters, who are grappling with rising freight rates, port congestion and mounting logistics costs.
Industry players have flagged what they describe as “opportunistic pricing” by some foreign carriers, including steep surcharges and war-risk premiums, as shipping routes face disruptions and delays.
With cargo movement slowing and transportation costs climbing, exporters fear a loss of competitiveness in global markets, particularly for time-sensitive shipments.
