The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a resolution hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he became India’s longest serving elected Prime Minister for two consecutive terms and the Cabinet members gave him a standing ovation on the occasion of the momentous event.
The decision came on a day when Modi surpassed the record set by India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in terms of uninterrupted tenure as an elected prime minister.
Modi exceeds Nehru’s elected term record
According to government figures, Modi completed 4,399 consecutive days in office on Wednesday, surpassing Nehru’s elected term of 4,398 days.
Nehru, who was first elected to the office in 1952, served continuously until his death on 27 May 1964. His period as head of the interim government between 1947 and 1952 is not counted in the elected period comparison because general elections have not yet been held.
Modi took office for the first time on May 26, 2014, after the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a majority in the Lok Sabha elections. He began his second term on May 30, 2019, and was sworn in for a third consecutive term on June 9, 2024.
While former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi served as Prime Minister for more than 14 years in total, her tenure was not continuous, making Modi the longest-serving elected Prime Minister with continuous tenure.
World leaders congratulate Prime Minister Modi
The achievement drew congratulatory messages from many world leaders, who praised Modi’s leadership and public service.
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Modi transformed India’s economy and strengthened its position at the global level.
“Huge congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he becomes India’s longest serving elected Prime Minister. A true statesman who has transformed India’s economy and standing in the world,” Morrison said in a social media post.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described the achievement as a testament to Modi’s years of dedicated public service and leadership in driving India’s development and prosperity.
“This achievement is a testament to his years of public service and dedicated leadership in promoting India’s development, prosperity and standing on the global stage,” Ibrahim said.
Leaders praise the progress India has made under Modi
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that this achievement reflects the confidence that Indian voters have placed in Modi during three consecutive terms.
Tinubu described Modi as a “personal friend and trusted ally” and praised his commitment to national development and global leadership.
Former Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih described it as a “historic landmark” that reflects the enduring confidence of the Indian people and highlights the economic, social and political progress that India witnessed during Modi’s tenure.
“The remarkable economic, social and political progress achieved by India during his tenure is a testament to his leadership,” Solih said.
Kenyan President William Ruto also congratulated Modi, saying this achievement demonstrates the confidence voters have placed in his leadership in the world’s largest democracy.
“This reflects the confidence that the people of India have placed in your leadership across three consecutive states in the world’s largest democracy,” Ruto said.
