Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to secure a rare third term in office following the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition’s victory in India’s parliamentary elections, according to official results from the Election Commission of India. Despite the triumph, the smaller-than-expected mandate means Modi will need to rely more heavily on his allies, compelling urgent attention to pressing issues such as unemployment, inflation, and economic disparities in the world’s most populous nation.

Unlike the previous two elections, Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will require the support of its alliance partners to surpass the 272 majority mark in the 543-seat lower house of parliament. The commission reported that the NDA secured 285 seats and was leading in one additional race yet to be called early Wednesday morning. This count exceeds the 272 seats needed for a majority but falls short of initial projections.

“The blessings of the people for the third time after 10 years boost our morale, give us new strength,” Modi told cheering BJP members at party headquarters in New Delhi. “Our opponents, despite being united, could not even win as many seats as BJP won.”

Modi's victory, while decisive, indicates that his administration must address significant economic challenges more vigorously. During his speech, Modi promised to work harder and take “big decisions,” highlighting sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, defense manufacturing, renewables, and agriculture as areas of special focus for his third term. However, he did not provide specific details on how these goals would be achieved.

The need to balance his ambitious agenda with coalition dynamics will be a defining aspect of Modi's next term. As he gears up to tackle the economic issues facing India, the country—and the world—will be watching how effectively he can turn his promises into reality.