Mary Millben sings birthday tribute for PM Modi, calls him 'right leader' for US-India ties
Synopsis
African American singer Mary Millben marked PM Modi's birthday from Washington with a musical tribute and a pointed endorsement — calling him 'the right leader' for US-India ties and crediting him with rural development, women's empowerment, and bringing world leaders to Delhi for the BRICS summit. It is an unusual but notable international salute to one of the world's most closely watched heads of government.
Key Takeaways
Mary Millben , an African American singer, sang a birthday tribute for PM Narendra Modi in Washington on 17 September .
Millben called Modi 'the right leader for the US–India relationship' and said 'India is so lucky to have Prime Minister Modi as their leader.' She credited Modi with advancing infrastructure , technology , rural opportunities, and women's empowerment in India.
Millben cited Modi's experience working with successive US presidents as a key asset for bilateral ties.
She also praised the hosting of world leaders at the BRICS summit in New Delhi as evidence of Modi's global standing.
African American singer Mary Millben on Thursday, 17 September sang a birthday greeting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, praising his leadership and describing him as 'the right leader for the US–India relationship.' The tribute combined a personal musical performance with Millben's assessment of Modi's record on domestic development and international diplomacy.
The Birthday Message
Speaking warmly of the Prime Minister, Millben said the occasion was an opportunity to honour his life, leadership, and legacy. 'What a wonderful day to celebrate his life and his leadership and his legacy,' she said, before rounding off with a musical rendition of Happy Birthday addressed directly to Modi.
When asked if she had a personal message for him, Millben offered to sing instead of speak. 'Well, sure. Why don't I sing Happy Birthday, yeah?' she said, before delivering the performance.
Assessment of India's Development Under Modi
Millben credited PM Modi with advancing infrastructure and technology across India, expanding opportunities for people in rural communities, and spearheading efforts to empower women and girls. 'I tell you, India is so lucky to have Prime Minister Modi as their leader,' she said.
Her remarks echo sentiments frequently expressed by members of the Indian-American diaspora and international observers who have noted India's infrastructure expansion under the current government — though critics at home have raised questions about economic inequality and press freedom during the same period.
On US-India Relations and Global Standing
On the bilateral front, Millben said Modi's experience working with successive American presidents had given him a unique understanding of how the relationship functioned. 'And then the Prime Minister certainly has been one of the best leaders for the US-India relationship,' she said.
Millben also referenced the gathering of world leaders in New Delhi for the BRICS summit, describing it as a testament to Modi's international standing. She said the presence of leaders from diverse nations at the summit reflected the Prime Minister's stature on the global stage. 'And that's just certainly credit to the Prime Minister,' she said.
Who Is Mary Millben
Mary Millben is an African American singer and diplomat who has previously performed at events connected to US presidential inaugurations and has been vocal about strengthening US-India cultural and bilateral ties. Her remarks carry symbolic weight given the growing importance of the Indian-American community in American political and cultural life.
With PM Modi's birthday marking another year of one of the most consequential tenures in recent Indian political history, tributes from international figures such as Millben add to the global dimension of his public profile. How that profile translates into concrete diplomatic and economic outcomes will remain the defining question going forward.
Point of View
Personal, and notable for its US-based origin — but it should be read in context. Praise from international cultural figures carries symbolic value for the Modi government's global image management, yet it rarely engages with the structural critiques of his domestic record. The BRICS reference is telling: hosting that summit was a genuine diplomatic achievement, but it also reflects the complex multipolarity India now navigates, balancing Washington and Moscow simultaneously. The real measure of the US-India relationship is not a birthday song but whether the two countries close deals on semiconductors, defence co-production, and immigration — none of which were addressed in this tribute.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mary Millben and why did she sing for PM Modi?
Mary Millben is an African American singer with a history of performing at US presidential events and advocating for US-India ties. She sang a birthday greeting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 September in Washington, offering both a musical tribute and her personal assessment of his leadership record.
What did Mary Millben say about PM Modi's leadership?
Millben praised Modi for advancing infrastructure and technology in India, expanding rural opportunities, and empowering women and girls. She also called him 'the right leader for the US–India relationship,' crediting his experience with successive American presidents for keeping ties healthy.
What was Millben's reference to the BRICS summit about?
Millben referred to the gathering of world leaders in New Delhi for the BRICS summit as evidence of PM Modi's international standing. She described the event as a success and said the attendance of diverse global leaders was 'credit to the Prime Minister.'
Is Mary Millben's tribute an official US government endorsement?
No. Millben's remarks were her personal views and not an official statement from the US government. She spoke in her capacity as a singer and public figure with a stated interest in US-India relations.
Why does international praise for PM Modi matter diplomatically?
Endorsements from internationally recognised figures in the United States carry symbolic weight, particularly as India and the US deepen ties in defence, technology, and trade. Such tributes contribute to the soft-power dimension of the bilateral relationship, even if they do not represent formal diplomatic positions.
