Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created history by becoming India's longest-serving elected prime minister, surpassing the record of the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. On Wednesday, Modi completed an unbroken tenure of 4,399 days in office, exceeding Nehru's 4,398 days. Nehru served from May 13, 1952, to May 27, 1964, after being first elected in 1952. However, Nehru's earlier stint from 1947 to 1952 was as head of an interim government, as elections were yet to be institutionalized.
Global Leaders Congratulate Modi
US Senators, business leaders, and members of the Indian diaspora have extended their greetings to Prime Minister Modi on this historic milestone. Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas, co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, took to social media to congratulate Modi. "Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister. 4,399 days of leadership earned through the trust of 1.4 billion people across three democratic mandates," Cornyn posted on X. He added, "From lifting 250 million out of poverty to making India the world's fastest-growing major economy, PM Modi's tenure has been nothing short of transformational. The US-India partnership has never been stronger."
Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee, also congratulated Modi. "Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi who has become the country's longest-serving prime minister. Under PM Modi's leadership, the US-India partnership has truly become comprehensive, global, and strategic," Hagerty said.
Diaspora and Business Leaders React
American singer Mary Millben, who has often expressed admiration for Modi, described him as her friend and offered heartfelt congratulations. "You have outlasted consecutive US Presidents, some with whom you had great relationship and others you have had great grace towards, yet you never wavered in exercising clear diplomacy that upheld the interests of the Indian people coupled with the health of our two countries," Millben remarked.
Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, also congratulated the prime minister on his leadership earned through the trust of 1.4 billion people across three democratic mandates. Modi's tenure has been marked by significant economic growth, poverty reduction, and strengthening of international ties.
For context, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi served a fractured tenure of 14 years from 1966 to 1984, but she was voted out in the 1977 general elections held after the lifting of the Emergency. Modi's uninterrupted run since 2014 has now set a new benchmark in Indian political history.
