NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received warm congratulations and accolades from several world leaders as he became India’s longest continuously serving democratically elected Prime Minister. Leaders from different regions of the world praised his leadership, governance reforms, and contribution to strengthening India’s position on the global stage.
Among the first to extend his greetings was Sri Lankan President . In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Modi on June 8, the Sri Lankan leader described the milestone as a reflection of the trust and confidence repeatedly placed in him by the people of India. He noted that India’s remarkable economic and social progress under Modi’s leadership had become an inspiration for many countries, including Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan President also highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring nations. He recalled Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, during which he was awarded the country’s highest civilian honour for a foreign dignitary, the . The visit reinforced India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and reflected New Delhi’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly during the island nation’s economic crisis in 2022.
Congratulatory messages also came from the Pacific region. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister praised Modi as a model of leadership and commended India’s efforts in poverty alleviation. In a personal video message, Marape described the lifting of more than 200 million people out of poverty as an extraordinary achievement and expressed his country’s desire to further strengthen ties with India.
He also referred to Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to in May 2023 for the Third Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit. The visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the Pacific nation, was widely viewed as a landmark step in expanding India’s engagement with Pacific Island countries and deepening partnerships across the Global South.
From the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister also congratulated Modi on the milestone. She stated that under his leadership, India had emerged as a significant voice in global affairs and had made notable progress in economic growth, infrastructure development, foreign policy, and social transformation.
Persad-Bissessar highlighted Modi’s journey from humble beginnings to leading the world’s most populous democracy for three consecutive terms. She also recalled his landmark visit to in July 2025, the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over two decades. The visit coincided with the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indian immigrants to the Caribbean nation and was seen as a major boost to bilateral relations.
The congratulatory messages reflect Prime Minister Modi’s growing international profile and India’s expanding influence across regions ranging from South Asia and the Pacific to the Caribbean. Over the years, India has strengthened its diplomatic outreach through development partnerships, economic cooperation, and active engagement with developing nations.
India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Modi has focused on initiatives such as “Neighbourhood First,” “Act East,” and enhanced engagement with the Global South. New Delhi has also played an increasingly prominent role in multilateral forums, promoted strategic partnerships across continents, and positioned itself as a leading voice for developing countries while pursuing a vision of inclusive growth, connectivity, and global cooperation.
