World leaders hail PM Modi as India's longest-serving elected PM

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World leaders hail PM Modi as India's longest-serving elected PM

Synopsis

On 10 June, Narendra Modi crossed a historic threshold — becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister. The global response was immediate and unusually effusive: EU, Australian, Danish, Cypriot, and Argentine leaders invoked the moon landing, the Quad, and economic transformation, signalling just how far India's diplomatic stock has risen.

Key Takeaways

PM Narendra Modi became India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister on 10 June .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed India's moon mission and the EU-India partnership, including a landmark trade deal in progress.
Former Australian PM Scott Morrison called Modi 'a true statesman who has transformed India's economy and standing in the world.' Former Australian PM Tony Abbott credited Modi and the late Shinzo Abe with founding the Quad .
Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides both pledged to deepen bilateral ties with India.
Argentina's Ambassador Mariano Caucino cited Modi's 2025 visit to Argentina and talks with President Javier Milei as a landmark bilateral moment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 10 June became India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, prompting an outpouring of congratulations from heads of state and senior officials across four continents. Leaders praised his record on economic transformation, global diplomacy, and domestic infrastructure — cementing India's elevated standing in world affairs.

European Union Extends Warm Wishes

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was among the first to mark the occasion, posting on X that India under Modi's leadership 'not only landed on the moon, it is shooting for the stars.' She also highlighted the depth of the EU-India partnership, citing cooperation on technology, mobility, security, defence, and what she called 'the mother of all trade deals.' Von der Leyen's message underscored the strategic weight both sides now attach to bilateral ties.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides echoed that sentiment, describing the milestone as a reflection of 'years of dedicated service and leadership.' In his post on X, Christodoulides reaffirmed Cyprus's commitment to deepening the India-Cyprus strategic partnership for the benefit of both peoples.

Nordic and Pacific Leaders Join In

Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen congratulated Modi on 'the distinction of the longest uninterrupted service as democratically elected PM of India,' according to a post by the Danish PM's office on X. Frederiksen expressed readiness to strengthen and expand the bilateral partnership into new areas.

From the Indo-Pacific, Australia's former Prime Minister Tony Abbott posted on X that Modi 'hasn't just held office, he's dramatically improved his country,' pointing specifically to gains in infrastructure, information technology, and the extension of power and sanitation to remote villages. Abbott also credited Modi — alongside the late Shinzo Abe — with creating the Quad, arguing that 'the entire free world owes him a debt of gratitude.'

Australia's Morrison: 'A True Statesman'

Fellow former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison offered perhaps the most emphatic personal tribute, calling Modi 'a true statesman who has transformed India's economy and standing in the world.' In his X post, Morrison expressed pride in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the two countries built together during his tenure, adding, 'Congrats my friend.'

Latin America Acknowledges the Milestone

Argentina's Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino, congratulated Modi on 'remarkable success in the modernisation of its economy' and noted that India had been 'positioned in a place of primacy according to its scale and civilizational trajectory.' Caucino also recalled PM Modi's visit to Argentina in 2025, during which bilateral talks were held with President Javier Milei.

What the Milestone Signals

The breadth of international recognition — spanning Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and Latin America — reflects India's growing diplomatic footprint under Modi's tenure. Notably, multiple leaders specifically cited economic transformation and multilateral security architecture, including the Quad, as defining achievements. As India continues to position itself as a leading power, the global response to this domestic milestone illustrates how closely foreign capitals are tracking New Delhi's trajectory.

Point of View

The Indo-Pacific, and Latin America chose to emphasise substance over protocol, citing the Quad, economic modernisation, and a pending EU-India trade deal. That framing reflects a consensus in foreign capitals that India under Modi has moved from a swing state to a structural anchor in the emerging world order. What is worth scrutinising, however, is the gap between the diplomatic optics and domestic accountability: the same leaders praising free elections and an independent judiciary are also deepening strategic ties at a moment when Indian civil society and press freedom groups have raised concerns about institutional pressures. The milestone is real; the full picture is more complex.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

When did PM Modi become India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister?
PM Narendra Modi crossed the milestone on Wednesday, 10 June, surpassing the record for the longest uninterrupted tenure as a democratically elected Prime Minister in India's history.
What did European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen say about PM Modi?
Von der Leyen posted on X that under Modi's leadership India 'not only landed on the moon, it is shooting for the stars,' and praised progress on EU-India cooperation spanning technology, mobility, security, defence, and a major trade deal she described as 'the mother of all trade deals.'
Why did former Australian PM Tony Abbott mention the Quad?
Abbott credited PM Modi and the late Japanese PM Shinzo Abe as the driving forces behind the creation of the Quad — the security grouping comprising India, Australia, the United States, and Japan — arguing that 'the entire free world owes him a debt of gratitude' for it.
What did former Australian PM Scott Morrison say about PM Modi?
Morrison called Modi 'a true statesman who has transformed India's economy and standing in the world,' and expressed pride in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the two countries built during his own tenure as Australian Prime Minister.
Which other world leaders congratulated PM Modi on this milestone?
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Argentina's Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino all extended congratulations, with Caucino also referencing Modi's 2025 visit to Argentina and bilateral talks with President Javier Milei.
Nation Press
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