PM Modi turns 76: Bangladesh, Italy, Israel leaders extend birthday wishes
Synopsis
On PM Modi's 76th birthday, three world leaders — Bangladesh's Tarique Rahman, Italy's Giorgia Meloni, and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu — posted greetings on X, each framing the occasion as a reflection of their bilateral ties with India. Netanyahu's tribute, calling Modi's leadership a transformation of India into a 'world power', stood out as the most emphatic diplomatic signal of the day.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi turned 76 on 17 September 2026 , marking 25 years in continuous public life.
Bangladeshi PM Tarique Rahman extended birthday greetings on X ; Modi personally thanked him in a reply post.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni called Modi her 'friend' and highlighted the growing India-Italy partnership.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu credited Modi with transforming India into a 'world power' and described the India-Israel tie as an 'unprecedented partnership.' Modi has served as Prime Minister since 26 May 2014 and is currently in his third term , the longest-serving elected PM of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on 17 September 2026, with several world leaders extending warm greetings — including Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — underscoring India's growing global diplomatic footprint.
Bangladesh PM's warm gesture
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was among the first foreign leaders to convey greetings, posting his wishes on social media platform X. 'Warmest birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Wishing you many happy returns of the day. May your dedicated service to the people of India always be accompanied by good health and high spirit,' Rahman wrote.
Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the gesture with a personal reply on X. 'Thank you, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, for your warm wishes. I deeply appreciate your kind words,' he said. The exchange is notable given the evolving diplomatic dynamic between New Delhi and Dhaka under Rahman's leadership.
Meloni highlights India-Italy friendship
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also posted her birthday message on X, calling Modi her 'friend' and emphasising the bilateral relationship. 'Happy birthday to my friend Narendra Modi, to whom I wish health, energy, and success. Italy and India continue to strengthen their deep bond of friendship, building together a future of cooperation and prosperity for our Nations,' Meloni wrote. The message reflects the momentum in India-Italy ties, which have grown closer through G7 and multilateral engagements in recent years.
Netanyahu hails Modi's global leadership
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered perhaps the most effusive tribute, crediting Modi with transforming India into a global power. 'Your leadership has transformed India into a world power. Together, we have built an unprecedented partnership between our two great democracies. The friendship between Israel and India has never been stronger, and together we will take it to even greater heights. I wish you many more years of leadership, health and fulfilment,' the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel said on X, quoting Netanyahu. The statement also described the India-Israel relationship as an 'unprecedented partnership' between two democracies.
Modi's political journey: 25 years in public life
Prime Minister Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat. He has served as Prime Minister since 26 May 2014 and is currently in his third consecutive term, making him the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India. Before ascending to national office, he served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. This year marks a significant milestone — 25 years of continuous public service.
The wave of international birthday greetings reflects Modi's stature as one of the most recognised heads of government globally, with bilateral ties across South Asia, Europe, and West Asia all prominently on display on his birthday.
Point of View
Europe, and West Asia all independently frame their greetings around bilateral relations, it functions as a soft barometer of India's foreign-policy standing. Netanyahu's framing of Modi as the architect of a 'world power' is particularly notable: it is the language of strategic alliance, not courtesy. The Bangladesh message carries its own weight, given the political transition in Dhaka and New Delhi's careful recalibration with the Rahman government. Taken together, these posts reveal how Modi's personal brand continues to serve as a diplomatic instrument well beyond domestic politics.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which world leaders wished PM Modi on his 76th birthday?
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu all extended birthday greetings to PM Narendra Modi on 17 September 2026, posting their messages on X.
What did Israel's PM Netanyahu say about Modi?
Netanyahu credited Modi with transforming India into a world power and described the India-Israel relationship as an 'unprecedented partnership between two great democracies.' The message was shared by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel on X.
How old is PM Modi and how long has he been in office?
PM Modi turned 76 on 17 September 2026. He has served as Prime Minister since 26 May 2014 and is currently in his third term, making him the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India.
What is the significance of PM Modi's birthday in 2026?
Beyond turning 76, this year marks 25 years of continuous public service for Modi, who entered elected office as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001. It is being noted as a milestone in his political career.
Did PM Modi respond to the birthday wishes from foreign leaders?
PM Modi publicly acknowledged Bangladeshi PM Tarique Rahman's message, replying on X: 'Thank you, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, for your warm wishes. I deeply appreciate your kind words.'
