PM Modi thanks world leaders for 25-year leadership milestone wishes
Synopsis
Leaders from Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and Serbia all sent congratulations to PM Modi on his 25-year milestone as a head of government. Modi's personalised responses — invoking bilateral visits, strategic partnerships, and anniversary milestones — signal that New Delhi is treating the occasion as a diplomatic moment as much as a personal one.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi completed 25 years as a head of government on 7 October 2026 , spanning his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister from 2001 and Prime Minister since 2014.
Leaders from Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada , and Serbia extended congratulations on the milestone.
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's July 2026 visit to India was recalled by Modi as 'unforgettable', with the two countries preparing for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Modi thanked Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali and also conveyed greetings on Ali's assumption of office for another term, citing India's Strategic Partnership with Ethiopia.
All of Modi's responses were posted publicly on X (formerly Twitter) , reinforcing the diplomatic messaging in the public domain.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 8 October 2026, expressed gratitude to multiple world leaders whose congratulatory messages continued to arrive following his completion of 25 years as a head of government — a milestone that spans his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister from 7 October 2001 and as Prime Minister of India since 2014.
Caribbean Leaders Join the Chorus
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was among the first to extend felicitations, calling the 25-year run a 'significant milestone' in Modi's public service. In her post on X, she noted: 'Today, I join the people of India and friends around the world in celebrating a truly significant milestone in the public service of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi — 25 years of continuous service as a Head of Government, spanning leadership at both the state and national levels.'
Responding to Persad-Bissessar, Modi said: 'The friendship between India and Trinidad and Tobago continues to scale new heights. We look forward to strengthening our partnership in the years to come.' Grenada's Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell also posted on X, stating: 'Grenada celebrates with you and looks forward to the continued strengthening of the friendship between our nations.' Modi acknowledged Mitchell's wishes, saying he 'deeply values the friendship between India and Grenada.'
Africa and Central Asia Extend Greetings
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali congratulated Modi and noted his journey 'first as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 and as Prime Minister of India since 2014.' Modi thanked Ali while also conveying greetings on the Ethiopian leader's assumption of office for another term, recalling his own visit to Ethiopia last December and a recent bilateral meeting in New Delhi. 'India greatly values its Strategic Partnership with Ethiopia,' Modi posted on X.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema extended wishes on X, saying: 'We congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he marks 25 years in public office, having first been sworn in as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001.' Modi responded by reaffirming India's intent to 'further strengthen our close partnership' with Zambia.
Kazakhstan President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev praised Modi's 'strong and wise leadership', saying India had continued to advance its 'sustainable development, scientific and technological progress' and had further strengthened its role on the global stage. Modi thanked Toqayev, underscoring the 'close friendship and strategic partnership' between the two nations.
Asia-Pacific Partners Weigh In
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also extended warm wishes. Modi recalled her July 2026 visit to India as 'unforgettable', and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would reach new heights as both countries prepare to mark the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations. 'Both countries, building on their longstanding friendship, will continue to work together for global peace, stability, and prosperity,' Modi posted on X.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung received Modi's thanks as well. Modi recalled Lee's April visit to India, which he said 'gave fresh momentum to our Special Strategic Partnership', and expressed confidence in deepening 'multifaceted cooperation' between the two nations.
Europe and the Broader Diplomatic Picture
Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also sent 'warm words', which Modi acknowledged with particular warmth, saying: 'I deeply appreciate your personal contribution to strengthening the India-Serbia partnership. Under your leadership, Serbia has undergone an extraordinary transformation.' Modi expressed hope of taking the bilateral relationship 'to even greater heights.'
Taken together, the outpouring of messages from leaders across the Caribbean, Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, and Europe reflects the breadth of diplomatic relationships India has cultivated under Modi's leadership. The milestone also arrives as India positions itself as a leading voice in Global South diplomacy, underlining the strategic value New Delhi places on bilateral ties with nations of varying geopolitical weight. Further congratulatory messages are expected in the days ahead.
Point of View
Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, and Europe all in one cycle signals that India's bilateral outreach under Modi has been wide if not always deep. Modi's personalised responses, each invoking a specific visit, anniversary, or partnership milestone, suggest New Delhi is using the occasion to press refresh on multiple bilateral tracks simultaneously. What the messages collectively reflect is a leader who has made the cultivation of personal summitry a defining feature of his foreign policy — a style that accelerates relationship-building but can sometimes outrun the institutional frameworks needed to sustain it.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has PM Modi served as a head of government?
PM Narendra Modi completed 25 years as a head of government on 7 October 2026. He first assumed office as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001, and has served as Prime Minister of India since 2014.
Which world leaders congratulated PM Modi on completing 25 years?
Among those who extended congratulations were Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Kazakhstan President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev, Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Grenada PM Dickon Mitchell, and former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
What did PM Modi say in response to the congratulatory messages?
Modi posted personalised responses on X to each leader, invoking specific bilateral visits, strategic partnerships, and upcoming diplomatic anniversaries. He expressed confidence in deepening ties with all the nations whose leaders reached out.
What is the significance of India-Japan relations mentioned by PM Modi?
PM Modi noted that both India and Japan are preparing to mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. He recalled Japanese PM Takaichi's visit to India in July 2026 as having 'further strengthened the India-Japan partnership.'
Why did PM Modi also convey greetings to Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali?
While thanking Abiy Ahmed Ali for his congratulatory wishes, Modi also conveyed greetings on Ali's assumption of office for another term as Ethiopian Prime Minister. Modi cited India's Strategic Partnership with Ethiopia and recalled his visit to the country last December.
