Testament to people's trust: World leaders congratulate PM Modi on record tenure

Congratulatory messages poured in from world leaders on Wednesday after Narendra Modi became India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, surpassing the tenure record set by Jawaharlal Nehru and drawing praise for his leadership, governance and global outreach.

Having first assumed office on May 26, 2014, Modi completed 4,399 consecutive days as Prime Minister, overtaking Nehru's 4,398 uninterrupted days as the head of an elected government following India's first general elections in 1952.

Leaders from across the world hailed the milestone, describing Modi as a transformative leader whose tenure has coincided with India's growing economic influence, stronger global standing and advocacy for the Global South.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated her Indian counterpart on his record tenure and said it had been a pleasure to meet him again in Rome in recent weeks.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor called the achievement "a powerful testament" to Modi's decades of public service and leadership.

"Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister. This achievement is a powerful testament to his decades of dedicated public service and leadership," Gor posted on social media.

In a letter, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the achievement reflected the faith Indians had repeatedly placed in Modi's leadership.

"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 leader also pointed to India's economic and social transformation under Modi and said his vision had inspired many beyond India's borders, including Sri Lanka.

The two countries have strengthened ties in recent years, with Modi being conferred Sri Lanka's highest civilian honour for a foreign dignitary during his visit to the island nation in 2025.

On his part, European Union Council chief Antonio Costa said under the Prime Minister's "visionary leadership, relations between the EU and India are stronger than ever, as evidenced by our historic summit earlier this year."

Australia's former Prime Minister Tony Abbott said under PM Modi's leadership, "India has become the world’s third superpower while maintaining free elections, a riotously free media and a robustly independent judiciary."

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape described PM Modi as "a role model and an example of leadership" in a personal video message. Highlighting India's development journey, Marape said, "Lifting over 200 million people out of poverty to good life today is an amazing feat."

Marape also expressed his country's desire to deepen bilateral ties with India, recalling Modi's landmark 2023 visit to Papua New Guinea, the first by an Indian Prime Minister.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said that under Modi's leadership, India had emerged as a leading voice on global issues.

She highlighted his rise from humble beginnings to leading a nation of over 1.4 billion people across three consecutive terms and cited India's achievements in foreign policy, infrastructure, economic growth and social development.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also congratulated Modi, praising his contribution to India's rise on the global stage.

Kenyan President William Ruto described the milestone as a reflection of the trust placed in Modi by the people of India across three successive mandates.

"Your journey from humble beginnings to this position is a testament to dedication, perseverance and public service. Kenya values its strong and enduring partnership with India and looks forward to deepening cooperation for the mutual benefit of our peoples," Ruto said in his message.