PM Modi thanks Kovind for greetings on 25 years as head of government
Synopsis
On the exact 25th anniversary of his first oath as Gujarat Chief Minister, PM Modi acknowledged congratulations from former President Ram Nath Kovind on X, attributing every achievement to the 'collective resolve of 140 crore Indians' — a characteristically inclusive framing of a milestone that underscores just how long Modi has dominated India's political centre of gravity.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi completed 25 years as head of government on 7 October 2026 , dating from his first oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001 .
Former President Ram Nath Kovind posted congratulations on X, sharing a personal letter calling the milestone a 'historic occasion.' Modi responded on X, describing Kovind's observations about change in the lives of the poor and marginalised as 'especially meaningful.' Modi credited the achievements of the past 25 years to the 'collective resolve of 140 crore Indians .' A broad wave of greetings from political leaders and public figures accompanied the milestone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, expressed his gratitude to former President Ram Nath Kovind after the latter sent congratulatory wishes marking 25 years of Modi's public life as head of government. Responding directly on social media platform X, Modi described Kovind's observations about transformations in the lives of India's poor and marginalised as 'especially meaningful.'
What Modi Said
'My gratitude to former President Ram Nath Kovind Ji for the greetings and kind words. His observations about the changes taking place across India, particularly in the lives of the poor and the marginalised, are especially meaningful to me. Whatever has been achieved belongs to the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians,' Modi wrote on X.
Kovind's Tribute to the Prime Minister
Kovind had posted his congratulatory message on X earlier in the day, sharing a personal letter addressed to the Prime Minister. In his post, the former President called the milestone a 'historic occasion,' writing: 'My heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji on the historic occasion of completing 25 years of dedicated public service as the Head of Government. This milestone reflects a remarkable journey of commitment to public life and service to the nation. I wish him continued good health and strength in the years ahead.'
The Milestone: 25 Years at the Helm
Prime Minister Modi first took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001, marking the start of his tenure as a head of government. That 25-year journey has since traversed two terms as Gujarat's chief minister and three terms as Prime Minister, making him one of India's longest-serving heads of government in the democratic era. 7 October 2026 marks the exact anniversary of that first assumption of executive office.
Broader Political Response
Modi's exchange with Kovind came amid a wider wave of greetings from political leaders and public figures across the country, all marking the quarter-century milestone. The occasion has prompted reflection on the arc of India's political landscape over the past 25 years, from the state capitals to New Delhi. Notably, the exchanges on X between two of India's highest constitutional officeholders — a sitting Prime Minister and a former President — lent the occasion an added ceremonial weight.
Point of View
But the milestone itself is politically significant: 25 unbroken years as a head of government — across state and national office — is a rare feat in Indian democracy, where coalition pressures and electoral cycles have historically kept tenures short. Modi's framing of collective achievement over personal credit is a well-worn rhetorical device, yet it also deflects scrutiny of what the 25 years have and have not delivered for the poor and marginalised he invokes. The Kovind tribute, coming from a constitutional figurehead of the Modi era, is unlikely to draw dissent — but the milestone will inevitably invite a longer audit from critics and admirers alike.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PM Modi marking 25 years of public life on 7 October 2026?
PM Modi first took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001, making 7 October 2026 the exact 25th anniversary of his first assumption of a head-of-government role. The milestone encompasses his terms as Gujarat's Chief Minister and his three terms as Prime Minister.
What did former President Ram Nath Kovind say to PM Modi?
Kovind posted on X calling the occasion 'historic' and praised Modi's 'remarkable journey of commitment to public life and service to the nation.' He also shared a personal letter addressed to the Prime Minister alongside the post.
How did PM Modi respond to Kovind's congratulations?
Modi replied on X, thanking Kovind for his 'greetings and kind words' and saying Kovind's observations about changes in the lives of the poor and marginalised were 'especially meaningful.' He added that all achievements belong to the 'collective resolve of 140 crore Indians.'
Who else congratulated PM Modi on the 25-year milestone?
Beyond former President Kovind, a broad range of political leaders and public figures extended greetings to Modi marking the occasion, though specific names beyond Kovind were not detailed in the available information.
