Modi chaired marathon four-and-a-half-hour meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a marathon four-and-a-half-hour meeting on Thursday with the Council of Ministers, where he delivered a strong message ahead of the government completing 12 years at the Centre next month.The meeting is also considered significant amid global economic concerns stemming from escalating conflict in West Asia. Global crude oil prices have risen above $100 per barrel due to geopolitical tensions, raising concerns about inflationary pressures in India. India imports approximately 85% of its crude oil needs. Rising oil prices are expected to impact fuel costs, transportation costs, and overall inflation in the country.

The high-level meeting comes amid a buzz of a possible cabinet reshuffle before June 9, when PM Modi’s government completes 12 years and two years of its third term.

According to sources, the Prime Minister stressed that every ministry must work with “Viksit Bharat 2047” as the guiding vision and said reforms should not remain confined to files but translate into faster and simpler governance for citizens.

Sources said PM Modi emphasised that files must move swiftly without unnecessary bureaucratic delays and ministers should maximise productivity within the available time.

PM Modi asked the ministers to take the government’s 12-year journey, welfare initiatives and reform agenda, directly to the people.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also briefed the Council of Ministers on the government’s recent five-nation diplomatic outreach, which sources described as successful.

This was the first meeting of the full Council of Ministers in nearly eleven months. The last one was held on June 4 last year.
(UPDATED ON 21ST MAY 2026)