World leaders congratulate PM Modi on 25 years in public office

Leaders from Japan, Bhutan, the Philippines and other countries congratulated Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in public office. Their messages underlined India's rising global profile and the growing weight of bilateral partnerships under his leadership.

In Short

• Modi became Gujarat chief minister on October 7, 2001, starting this journey
• Japan praised Modi's leadership and sought deeper ties before diplomatic anniversary
• Bhutan's premier said Modi made Indians prouder, bolder and more confident

Political leaders from several countries, including Japan, Bhutan, the Philippines, Belgium, Nepal, Nigeria and Botswana, on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in public office.

Modi was elected Gujarat chief minister on October 7, 2001, and served three consecutive terms in the state before becoming prime minister in 2014.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi extended her best wishes and praised Modi's role in India's development and rising global profile. "For years, he has been striving to realise the development of Indian society and the nation, and since 2001, he has been serving in the position of head of government with his outstanding political leadership," she said in a post on X. "Along with accelerating India's development, he has elevated India's prestige to new heights on the international stage as well. For all these accomplishments, as a fellow politician, I express my sentiments of respect," she said.

Referring to her visit to India in July, Takaichi said she had a "fortunate opportunity" to discuss concrete steps with Modi to take the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership to the "next level". She noted that next year will mark 75 years of Japan-India diplomatic relations and said she wanted to work with Modi for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, "so that Japan and India, which share a strategic direction, can further advance our partnership".

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay called Modi "an avatar of our times". Recalling a meeting with Modi in New Delhi in 2019, when he was a private citizen, Tobgay said he had told him he saw him as an elder brother and "as an avatar of Vishnu". "In our part of the world, I explained, enlightened rulers have long been regarded as such," he said. Tobgay added that Modi had awakened in Indians a "powerful belief in themselves and in their country", saying they seemed "prouder of India, more ambitious about its possibilities and more confident of its place in the world". He said these were, to him, the qualities of an enlightened ruler.

Philippines President Bongbong Marcos wished Modi continued success in his service to the people of India. "From Gujarat to leading the world's largest democracy, Prime Minister Modi's journey has been marked by a strong emphasis on good governance, innovation, technology, infrastructure and development, contributing to India's transformation and its growing role on the global stage," he said on X. Marcos added that India-Philippines ties continue to grow "from strength to strength" and said he looked forward to welcoming Modi to Manila for the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits in November.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever congratulated Modi on "25 years of continuous leadership in government, from Gujarat to New Delhi" and said he looked forward to further deepening the partnership between the two countries. In a post on X from the handle of Nepal's prime minister's office, Modi was wished "Warm congratulations & best wishes" on completing "25 Years of dedicated public service", with Nepal wishing him and his government continued success and prosperity in the years ahead.

Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called it a "truly historic milestone" and said, "A quarter-century of unbroken leadership is a rare achievement in any democracy." He said Modi had led with "vision and an unwavering commitment to development" and added that Nigeria valued its strategic partnership with India. Recalling Modi's visit to Abuja in November 2024, Tinubu said it had given fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and security, health, education, and technology. "As fellow democracies and leading voices of the Global South, Nigeria and India share a common commitment to a fairer, more inclusive and more representative international order. I remain confident that, under his continued leadership, the bonds of friendship between our peoples will grow ever stronger," he said.

Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko also congratulated Modi on completing 25 years at the helm of government. "We commend you for your dedication and service to the people of India. We wish you success in the years ahead and look forward to the enduring friendship between our countries," he said. The messages from leaders across countries marked Modi's 25 years in public office, from his election as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 to his tenure as prime minister since 2014.

With PTI Inputs

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