World leaders hail PM Modi as 'role model' on record-breaking tenure milestone
Synopsis
On the eve of becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi received tributes from leaders across three continents — Sri Lanka's president, Papua New Guinea's PM, and Trinidad and Tobago's PM each citing his poverty-reduction record, Global South advocacy, and a diplomatic reach that now stretches from the Pacific Islands to the Caribbean. The milestone is as much a foreign-policy statement as a domestic one.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi is set to become India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister , with world leaders marking the occasion on 9 June .
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake wrote a formal letter crediting Modi's leadership and India's support during Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis .
Papua New Guinea PM James Marape called Modi a 'role model,' citing the lifting of over 200 million people out of poverty.
Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar highlighted India's rise as a global voice under Modi's three-term leadership.
Modi's recent diplomatic milestones include the first-ever Indian PM visit to Papua New Guinea (May 2023) and the first bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 26 years (July 2025).
Several world leaders on Tuesday, 9 June congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the eve of his becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India, with heads of government from across the globe paying tribute to his transformative leadership, his championship of the Global South, and his vision of an inclusive, economically dynamic India. The tributes, acknowledged by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), spanned the Pacific Islands, South Asia, and the Caribbean.
Sri Lanka Salutes a Neighbour's Leader
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a formal letter to Prime Minister Modi, conveyed the warm congratulations of his government and the people of Sri Lanka. 'This milestone is a testament not only to your years in office, but also to the trust and confidence that the people of the world's largest democracy have repeatedly placed in your leadership,' Dissanayake wrote.
The Sri Lankan president also highlighted India's remarkable economic and social transformation, noting that Modi's vision had inspired nations beyond India's borders. The message carries particular weight given India's pivotal support during Sri Lanka's economic crisis of 2022. Prime Minister Modi visited Sri Lanka in April 2025 — his fourth visit to the island nation — during which he was conferred the Mitra Vibhushana, Sri Lanka's highest civilian honour for a foreign dignitary, reaffirming the 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
Papua New Guinea Calls Modi a 'Role Model'
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape delivered a personal video message, describing Modi as a role model and an example of leadership for the world. 'Lifting over 200 million people out of poverty to a good life today is an amazing feat,' Marape said, expressing Papua New Guinea's warm friendship and desire to deepen bilateral ties.
The tribute recalls Prime Minister Modi's May 2023 visit to Papua New Guinea — the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister — for the Third Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC-III) Summit, a landmark moment that underscored India's commitment to Pacific Island nations and its broader role as a partner of the Global South.
Caribbean Voice: Trinidad and Tobago Weighs In
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar also extended congratulations, noting that under Modi's leadership, India has emerged as a leading voice on global matters. She highlighted his journey from humble beginnings to leading a nation of 1.4 billion people across three terms, and underscored India's achievements in foreign policy, economic growth, infrastructure, and socio-economic development.
The message follows Prime Minister Modi's landmark visit to Trinidad and Tobago in July 2025 — the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Caribbean country in 26 years — which coincided with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian immigrants to the island nation.
What the Milestone Represents
The record tenure underlines a sustained electoral mandate across three consecutive terms, a feat unprecedented in independent India's democratic history. The congratulatory messages collectively reflect Modi's repositioning of India as a proactive partner for developing nations — from debt-stressed Pacific islands to Caribbean diaspora communities — rather than a passive recipient of global attention. As India's diplomatic footprint widens, the milestone is being read internationally as both a political and a civilisational statement.
Point of View
Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad and Tobago is not incidental — it maps almost exactly onto India's strategic outreach corridors under Modi: the Indian Ocean neighbourhood, the Pacific Islands forum, and the Indian diaspora belt. What mainstream coverage frames as a ceremonial milestone is also a foreign-policy report card. The tributes from smaller nations carry a specific message: India is increasingly seen as a partner of first resort, not last resort, in the Global South. The harder question — whether India's influence in these corridors translates into durable strategic outcomes or remains relationship-dependent — will outlast the anniversary.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does PM Modi become India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches the milestone on or around 10 June, according to reports marking the occasion on 9 June. He has served three consecutive terms as Prime Minister since May 2014.
Which world leaders congratulated PM Modi on his record tenure?
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape, and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar were among the leaders who extended congratulations, as acknowledged by the Prime Minister's Office.
What did Papua New Guinea's PM say about Modi?
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape described Modi as a 'role model' and praised the feat of lifting over 200 million people out of poverty. He also expressed his country's desire to further strengthen bilateral ties with India.
What is India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy?
India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy prioritises deep engagement with South Asian and Indian Ocean neighbours, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. Sri Lanka has been cited as a key beneficiary, particularly after India extended critical support during its 2022 economic crisis.
What was the significance of PM Modi's visit to Papua New Guinea in 2023?
Modi's May 2023 visit to Papua New Guinea was the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister and was made for the FIPIC-III Summit. It marked a significant expansion of India's engagement with Pacific Island nations and reinforced its role as a committed partner of the Global South.
