Bhutan’s Prime Minsiter Tshering Tobgay called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “an avatar” of recent times while congratulating him on completing 25 years in public office.
Bhutanese PM’s greetings came on Wednesday (October 7) along with various political leaders, including Japan and the Philippines.
Modi is one of the longest-serving political leaders in India. He was elected as the chief minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001, and went on to serve three consecutive terms in the state. He was subsequently elected as prime minister of India in 2014.
Recalling his meeting with Modi in New Delhi in 2019, as a private citizen, Tobgay said he told the Indian prime minister he saw him as an elder brother and “as an avatar of Vishnu”.
“In our part of the world, I explained, enlightened rulers have long been regarded as such,” Tobgay said, adding that Modi awakened in Indians a “powerful belief in themselves and in their country”.
“They seemed prouder of India, more ambitious about its possibilities and more confident of its place in the world,” he said, adding that these were, to him, the qualities of an enlightened ruler.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also extended her best wishes to Modi on the occasion and praised his contribution to India’s development and its standing on the international stage.
Referring to her recent visit to India in July, Takaichi said she had a “fortunate opportunity” to deliberate with Modi on concrete steps to take the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership to the “next level”.
Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-India diplomatic relations. Noting that, Takaichi said she she wishes to work with PM Modi to realise a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, “so that Japan and India, which share a strategic direction, can further advance our partnership”.
On the occasion, Philippines President Bongbong Marcos wished Modi continued success in his service to the people of India.
“From Gujarat to leading the world’s largest democracy, Prime Minister Modi’s journey has been marked by a strong emphasis on good governance, innovation, technology, infrastructure and development, contributing to India’s transformation and its growing role on the global stage,” he said on X.
Marcos said India-Philippines ties continue to grow “from strength to strength”, adding that he looks forward to welcoming Modi to Manila for the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits in November.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever congratulated Modi on “25 years of continuous leadership in government, from Gujarat to New Delhi”, saying he looked forward to further deepening the strong partnership between the two countries.
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah took to X to wish Modi.
“Warm congratulations & best wishes to Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi on completing 25 Years of dedicated public service. Nepal wishes you and your Government continued success and prosperity in the years ahead,” said a post by the handle of the Nepalese prime minister’s office.
Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wished Modi on the “truly historic milestone”.
“A quarter-century of unbroken leadership is a rare achievement in any democracy,” he said, adding that Modi has led with “vision and an unwavering commitment to development”.
Recalling Modi’s visit to Abuja in November 2024, he said it gave fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and security, health, education, and technology.
Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko congratulated Modi on completing 25 years at the helm of government.
“We commend you for your dedication and service to the people of India. We wish you success in the years ahead and look forward to the enduring friendship between our countries,” he said.