World leaders on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years as head of government, praising his leadership and describing the milestone as a “rare achievement in any democracy” and a testament to the confidence placed in him by the people of India.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi extended her best wishes to PM Modi, highlighting his contribution to India’s development and growing international stature.
“On the occasion of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji completing 25 years in office as head of government, I would like to extend my best wishes. 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,” Takaichi 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 added.
Takaichi also thanked PM Modi for the welcome extended to her during her visit to India in July, describing the trip as “highly fruitful”. She said the two leaders discussed concrete steps to further strengthen the India-Japan “Special Strategic and Global Partnership”.
Noting that India and Japan will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, Takaichi said she looked forward to working with PM Modi to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance their shared vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also congratulated PM Modi, describing his 25 years of continuous leadership — first as Gujarat Chief Minister and subsequently as Prime Minister — as a historic milestone.
“Today, 7 October 2026, marks 25 years since he first assumed office in 2001 as Head of Government and Chief Minister of Gujarat. His public service has continued without interruption. After more than twelve years serving the people of Gujarat, he has remained Prime Minister of the Republic of India since 2014,” Tinubu said in a statement.
Calling a quarter-century of uninterrupted leadership “a rare achievement in any democracy”, Tinubu said it was “a powerful testament to the enduring confidence the Indian people have placed in him”.
“Across these 25 years, Prime Minister Modi has led with vision and an unwavering commitment to development,” he said.
Tinubu cited Gujarat’s transformation and India’s economic growth, as well as developments in infrastructure, digital public goods, financial inclusion and innovation, saying these initiatives had benefited millions and provided examples for countries across the Global South.
The Nigerian President also recalled PM Modi’s state visit to Abuja in November 2024, when Nigeria conferred on him the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Tinubu said the visit 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,” Tinubu said, expressing confidence that ties between the two countries would continue to strengthen.
Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also congratulated PM Modi on the milestone and thanked him for his friendship towards Dominica and its people.
“My dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 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,” Skerrit said in a post on X.
“As you mark this milestone, I wish to express my appreciation for the friendship you have extended to Dominica and the generosity shown to our people,” he added.
Skerrit said he valued the relationship between the two countries and looked forward to strengthening it further, while wishing PM Modi good health and continued success.
PM Modi completed 25 years as head of government on October 7, having first taken office as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001. He served in the post until 2014, when he became Prime Minister, and is currently serving his third consecutive term.
(IANS Inputs)
