Narendra Modi: ‘Truly historic milestone’: Leaders hail PM Modi as he completes 25 years in government | India News
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 25 years as head of government on Wednesday drew congratulations from BJP leaders as well as political leaders abroad, who marked the milestone with messages highlighting his long tenure in public office and India’s growing global engagement.PM Modi began his tenure as Gujarat chief minister on October 7, 2001, and became Prime Minister in 2014.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at a ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha’ in Ghaziabad, said politics for Modi was not about merely forming a government.“For PM Modi, the meaning of politics was that politics should not be pursued merely to form a government. Rather, politics should be pursued to build the nation and to build society,” Singh said.BJP president Nitin Nabin described Modi’s journey as an “unforgettable” chapter and said the 2014 election marked the first time a prime ministerial candidate was presented directly to voters as the principal face of the campaign.Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also joined BJP workers in listening to Modi’s address, describing the journey as “25 Years | 1 Man | 1 Mission Desh Seva”.BJP Bihar president Sanjay Saraogi told IANS, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has served Gujarat and the country for 25 years, working with the goal of serving all sections of society.”BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said, “It is a matter of pride for every Indian. As workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party, this is a very important day for us, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completing 25 years as an elected head of government today.”Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the occasion “very significant”, saying, “This is the first time in the country that a Prime Minister has completed 25 years of public service, including his tenure as Chief Minister and Prime Minister.”Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut also congratulated the PM, describing his 25-year public life as “an inspiring journey of service to the nation, public participation and unwavering dedication”.The BJP has been observing the milestone through its month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, with events including rallies, exhibitions, blood donation drives and public outreach programmes planned across states.
Global leaders
PM Modi’s long tenure also drew messages of congratulations from world leaders, with Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu calling it a ‘rare achievement in any democracy’.The Presidency of Nigeria shared an official message from president Tinubu, in which he described the milestone as “a powerful testament to the enduring confidence the Indian people have placed in him.”Tinubu also cited infrastructure, digital public goods, financial inclusion and innovation, and recalled PM Modi’s November 2024 visit to Abuja, when Nigeria conferred on him the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever wrote on X, “I warmly congratulate Prime Minister @narendramodi on 25 years of continuous leadership in government, from Gujarat to New Delhi.”Dominica prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit said, “My dear friend, Prime Minister @narendramodi, I warmly congratulate you on 25 years of continuous service as Head of Government, a journey that began in Gujarat and has continued through your leadership of India.”Bhutanese prime minister Tshering Tobgay published a tribute titled “PM Modi’s leadership reflects wisdom, courage, empathy”, highlighting PM Modi’s governance in Gujarat and his Viksit Bharat vision. Furthermore, he commended the deep bilateral ties encapsulated in the “B4B” (Bharat for Bhutan, Bhutan for Bharat) framework, alongside Bhutan’s highest honor, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, conferred upon PM Modi.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi also congratulated the PM. “Today, on the 25th anniversary of Prime Minister Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister, I extend my heartfelt congratulations,” she said.Reflecting on bilateral ties and her recent diplomatic engagements, Takaichi expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended during her travels, stating, “Moreover, during my visit to India in July this year, I was extended the warmest hospitality, for which I once again express my sincere gratitude.”
