New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has surpassed the late Jawaharlal Nehru’s record for the longest continuous tenure as an elected Prime Minister, completing 4,399 consecutive days in office.
Modi first took oath on May 26, 2014, and has remained Prime Minister without a break for 12 years. Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, became the first popularly elected Prime Minister on May 13, 1952, and served continuously for 4,398 days. The report notes that Nehru also headed the interim government from 1947 to 1952 before the first Lok Sabha election.
Following the milestone, President Droupadi Murmu said India has seen far-sighted progress in economic stability and social transformation under Modi, and described the record as reflecting sustained public trust in his leadership.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan termed it more than a measure of time, calling it a reflection of an era that influenced the national development journey, and said Modi’s tenure helped lift over 25 crore people out of extreme poverty. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said India’s global standing has improved under Modi’s leadership.
Several foreign leaders also conveyed greetings. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cited India’s space achievements and cooperation in technology, security and trade, while Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Maldives President Muizzu, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kenya’s President William Ruto and Australia’s former Prime Minister Scott Morrison were among those who congratulated Modi.
