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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday delivered his longest Independence Day speech at 98 minutes as he addressed the country from the ramparts of historic Red Fort.

Modi's Independence Day speeches average at 82 minutes longer than any other prime minister in India's history.

His longest I-day speech before Thursday was 96 minutes in 2016 while his shortest speech was in 2017 when he spoke for around 56 minutes.

On the 78th Independence Day, Modi also became the prime minister to hoist the tricolour on Independence Day and deliver a speech for the third highest time.

 Modi delivered his first Independence Day speech in 2014, which lasted for 65 minutes.

His speech in 2015 lasted for about 88 minutes. This was Modi's 11th address as PM and his first after taking charge for a third term.

 In 2018, Modi addressed from the ramparts of the Red Fort for 83 minutes. Subsequently, in 2019, he spoke for nearly 92 minutes, which was his second-longest to date.

In 2020 Modi's I-day address lasted for 90 minutes.

His Independence Day speech in 2021 lasted 88 minutes and in 2022 he spoke for about 74 minutes.

Last year, Modi's speech was 90 minutes long.

 Before Modi, Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 and IK Gujral in 1997 had the longest speeches at 72 and 71 minutes, respectively.

Nehru and Indira also gave the shortest speeches on record at 14 minutes in 1954 and 1966, respectively.

Former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee also gave some of the shortest Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort.

Singh's speeches in 2012 and 2013 lasted only 32 and 35 minutes, respectively. Vajpayee's speeches in 2002 and 2003 were even shorter at 25 and 30 minutes. Business Standard

Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal Abrar H Hashmi said Pakistan is committed for continued support to strengthen cooperation and understanding with Nepal.

At a reception hosted on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan featuring Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav as the chief guest on Wednesday evening, Ambassador Hashmi said Pakistan would continue its support to Nepal.

"Our collaboration in education, defense, banking, health and other technical sectors is yielding good results. Over 7,000 strong alumni, including doctors, engineers, journalists, bankers, pilots, defense personnel and others were contributing to the progress and development of Nepal in their respective fields", he noted.

Both Pakistan and Nepal are vulnerable to climate change, he said, adding, "We share ecologically fragile Himalayas; glaciers are melting at a faster pace causing Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, and in the medium to long term, could lead to water and food shortages".

Ambassador Hashmi stressed that it was crucial to address these challenges for welfare of the communities and sustainable development of the region.

Pakistan is committed to establish peaceful and cordial relations with all the countries of the world, he said, adding, it contributes to global peace, through diplomatic efforts to UN peacekeeping.

"Nepal is a close friend of Pakistan. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960: mutual respect, trust, cordiality and understanding remained the hallmark", he added.

Pakistan and Nepal share a unique tapestry from geography to religious and civilizational linkages – from the peaks of Everest to K2, to rich Gandhara heritage and cultural similarities, the ambassador mentioned.

"As partners, we work together at regional and multilateral forums especially at UN and SAARC", he further highlighted.

Pakistan's approach to its partnership with Nepal is also underpinned by the desire to maturity benefit, he noted, adding the two countries have inked a number of agreements such as trade, air services, cultural, tourism and cooperation in agriculture and a number of bilateral mechanisms exist.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, former Prime Minister Madhav Kuamr Nepal, former ministers, parliamentarians, diplomatic missions chiefs in Kathmandu, high-ranking government officials, entrepreneurs, journalists and distinguished people.

A documentary reflecting Pakistan's progress in social-economic, technological and defense sectors was also screened on the occasion.

The House of Representatives (HoR) on Wednesday endorsed the third amendment to the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act—a significant step toward addressing human rights violations from the decade-long conflict.

Following the HoR's approval, the bill will proceed to the National Assembly (NA) before being presented to President Ram Chandra Poudel for final authentication. The government aims to complete this process within the next 10 days, paving the way for new appointments to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons—two transitional justice bodies established 10 years ago.

For a long time, major political parties held differing views on some provisions of the bill, but the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Center) now claim to have reached an agreement. On Wednesday, all parties in Parliament supported this consensus. However, conflict victims have already voiced concerns, and the international community has yet to respond to the new agreement. Without their support, these transitional justice mechanisms may struggle to achieve meaningful progress.

While the agreement among the three parties is a positive development, it does not guarantee that the two commissions will be able to address the approximately 65,000 complaints filed by conflict victims. Experts caution that it could take years to investigate all the cases and deliver justice.

Addressing the House, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba stated that the amended bill aligns with the concerns raised by Nepal’s Supreme Court and meets international standards. He expressed hope that the international community would welcome the bill's passage.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, a key figure in the peace process, emphasized that there will be no blanket amnesty for serious human rights violations, a major concern of the international community. He noted, “Previously, there was a misconception that Nepal was granting amnesty for serious human rights violations. We have now reached an agreement that ensures no blanket amnesty. I believe this clarifies any confusion for the international community.” Dahal also mentioned that the international community has welcomed the agreement reached among the key political parties on contentious issues within the transitional justice mechanism.

In the past, both commissions were hindered by a weak mandate. While addressing the House, the prime minister pledged to establish stronger commissions based on this political agreement and committed the government's full support to their work.

It remains to be seen how the conflict victims and the international community will receive the amendment to the transitional justice laws. US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson was among the first diplomats to welcome the bill.

“Pleased to see the transitional justice bill passed by the House of Representatives today. Congratulations to the people of Nepal. This is a meaningful moment in Nepal’s journey to shaping its own peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and democratic future,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“Pleased to see the transitional justice bill passed by the House of Representatives today. Congratulations to the people of Nepal. This is a meaningful moment in Nepal’s journey to shaping its own peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and democratic future,”  said Dean R Thompson, US Ambassador to Nepal.

UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal Hanaa Singer-Hamdy in her X post has said: “Endorsement of TJ bill is a crucial step in completing the peace process. This milestone brings victims closer to truth, justice and reparations. It is imperative to engage victims at all stages of its operationalization. As a partner for peace, the UN stands ready to support.” 

Similarly, Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal, said: Congratulations to Nepal and Nepali people for this historic achievement: passing of Nepal led and owned, victim-centric TRC bill by House of Representative.

The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Business Summit, first of its kind, took place in New Delhi from Aug 6-8. For Nepal, the summit was an opportunity to showcase commitment to regional collaboration and to engage with key stakeholders; a pivotal moment for exploring new avenues for economic and educational partnerships.

Founded in 1997, BIMSTEC was designed to promote collaboration among South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. The event attracted a diverse range of leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, all gathered to discuss and strategize on the future of economic cooperation in the region, underscoring the increasing importance of regional partnerships and collective action in driving sustainable development.

A highlight of the summit was the presence of the Nepali delegation, which included the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, and leading Nepali businesspeople such as President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Dhakal, Senior Vice-president Anjan Shrestha, former president Bhawani Rana and Shesh Raj Bhattarai, President of the Educational Consultancy Association of Nepal (ECAN) among others.

Bhattarai says, “The summit was a pivotal event, gathering some of the most influential figures and thought leaders from South and Southeast Asia.”

While Rana highlighted the urgent need to enhance women’s access to capital, skills development, and mentorship and advocated for leveraging the full potential of women to drive regional economic growth and foster inclusive development.

Similarly, senior Vice-president Shrestha detailed strategies to improve educational infrastructure by advocating for advanced institutions and regional collaboration to enhance learning outcomes and innovation. Shrestha also proposed significant advancements in healthcare, emphasizing the potential of telemedicine and digital health solutions. 

They offered insights into the blue and mountain economies, discussing how sustainable practices in managing marine and mountainous resources could drive economic growth for Nepal, Bhutan, and India. They proposed establishing an MSME Development Center within BIMSTEC to support micro, small, and medium enterprises with resources and training, thus enhancing their growth and contribution to the regional economy.

One of the summit’s major accomplishments was the establishment of the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce, a development that promises to enhance economic collaboration and integration among member countries. 

In the summit, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal emerged as a central figure, delivering a presentation that emphasized India’s growing role as a global economic leader. Goyal’s address outlined a vision for how Nepal could enhance its role within the BIMSTEC framework, particularly in the tourism sector. He emphasized the potential for Nepal to become a leading destination in the region, leveraging its unique assets to drive growth and collaboration among BIMSTEC countries. 

Bhattarai of ECAN addresses some areas that could benefit from improvement to enhance Nepal’s future participation, such as the noticeable absence of experts and financial commentators from Nepal. He suggests their presence could enrich discussions and provide valuable insights, showcasing Nepal’s engagement with global economic issues. Additionally, the Nepal Embassy in New Delhi could play a more proactive role in facilitating Nepal’s involvement.

Bhattarai also suggests holding better pre-event briefings that would ensure delegates are well-aligned with the summit’s objectives and post-event follow-ups that would help capitalize on the opportunities and connections created. “This approach would also facilitate better evaluation and planning for future engagements,” he says.