World leaders hail Modi as he completes 25 years in public office

Leaders from Japan, Bhutan, Nigeria and other countries congratulated Narendra Modi on completing 25 years in public office. Their messages linked the milestone to India's rise and reaffirmed efforts to deepen bilateral ties.

In Short

• Messages from several capitals praised India’s global rise under Modi
• Japan highlighted stronger strategic ties ahead of 75 years of diplomacy
• Bhutan’s prime minister described Modi as inspiring confidence and national pride

Political leaders from a range of countries, including Japan, Bhutan, the Philippines, Belgium, Nepal, Serbia, Nigeria, Dominica and Botswana, greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday as he completed 25 years in public office.

Modi was first elected chief minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001, and served three consecutive terms before becoming prime minister in 2014. In messages posted on social media, foreign leaders referred to his years in office, India’s rise on the global stage and their countries’ ties with India, while Modi replied by underlining bilateral partnerships.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Modi had been striving for 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 added, “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.” Referring to her visit to India in July, she said she had a “fortunate opportunity” to discuss concrete steps to take the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership to the “next level”. With next year marking 75 years of Japan-India diplomatic relations, Takaichi said she wanted to work with Modi to realise a Free and Open Indo-Pacific “so that Japan and India, which share a strategic direction, can further advance our partnership”.

Replying to Takaichi, Modi said her July visit to India “will remain unforgettable” for him as well. “It has further strengthened the India-Japan partnership... I am confident that our bilateral relations will reach new heights on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic ties,” he said.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay called Modi “an avatar of our times”. Recalling a meeting in New Delhi in 2019 when he was a private citizen, Tobgay said he had told Modi 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, adding that Modi had awakened in Indians a “powerful belief in themselves and in their country”. “They seemed prouder of India, more ambitious about its possibilities and more confident of its place in the world,” Tobgay said, adding that these were, to him, the qualities of an enlightened ruler.

Modi thanked Tobgay for his “heartfelt message” and said India and Bhutan were bound by an enduring partnership rooted in mutual trust and understanding. “I look forward to continuing our close cooperation to advance our shared vision of Viksit Bharat and a prosperous Bhutan,” he said.

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. Marcos added that India-Philippines ties continued 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.

In reply, Modi said India deeply valued its Strategic Partnership with the Philippines. “I look forward to our continued engagement and further deepening of the friendship between our nations,” he said.

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 strong partnership between the two countries. Modi thanked him and said he looked forward to building on the “positive momentum in our relations and further strengthen our bilateral partnership”. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah also posted greetings on X, with the handle of the Nepalese prime minister’s office saying, “Warm congratulations & best wishes to Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi on completing 25 Years of dedicated public service. Nepal wishes you and your Government continued success and prosperity in the years ahead.”

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said India was “blessed” to have Modi. “Few people can say they have devoted a quarter of a century to serving their country, first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as Prime Minister of India. I know how deeply you care about India and its future, and the world can see how high you have raised India,” he said. Modi thanked Vucic for his “warm words and friendship” and said he deeply appreciated his personal contribution to strengthening the India-Serbia partnership. “Under your leadership, Serbia has undergone an extraordinary transformation. You have served Serbia with determination and dedication. I look forward to taking the India-Serbia partnership to even greater heights,” he said.

Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called the occasion 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 deeply valued the strategic partnership between the two countries. Recalling Modi’s visit to Abuja in November 2024, Tinubu said it had given fresh impetus to 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.

Modi said India and Nigeria were close partners and leading voices of the Global South. “I look forward to continuing our cooperation to further strengthen our Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for a more inclusive, prosperous and peaceful world,” he said.

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, congratulating his “dear friend” Modi, said he appreciated the friendship India had extended to Dominica and the generosity shown to its people. “I value the bond between our nations and look forward to building on it in the years ahead,” he said. Modi replied that India deeply valued its enduring friendship with Dominica and added, “We look forward to further strengthening our partnership and working together for the shared progress and prosperity of the people of our nations.” Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko also congratulated Modi on completing 25 years at the helm of government, saying, “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.” Modi said India greatly valued its friendship with Botswana and added, “I look forward to working together to further strengthen our close ties.”

The messages from world leaders marked Modi’s 25 years in public office, beginning with his swearing-in as Gujarat chief minister on October 7, 2001, and continuing through his tenure as prime minister. In their greetings, the leaders linked the milestone to India’s development and to their countries’ ties with New Delhi, while Modi used his replies to reaffirm bilateral partnerships.

With PTI Inputs

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