RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said India’s growing influence on the global stage has compelled world leaders to pay closer attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was speaking at a gratitude ceremony in Pune held as part of the RSS centenary year.

Bhagwat said the Sangh’s 100-year journey was not about celebrating milestones but about fulfilling responsibilities. “Though the Sangh has completed 100 years, braving challenges and weathering many storms, it is time to introspect why the task of uniting the entire society has taken so long,” he said.

On India’s enhanced international profile, Bhagwat said the world was “listening to the Prime Minister because India’s strength is becoming visible where it should”. He recalled being told once that the Sangh had “arrived 30 years late”, to which he had responded that the organisation had always been active but had simply not been heard.