Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years as Chief Minister of Gujarat and then Prime Minister as a “golden” chapter in the history of Indian democracy, adding that the period would be written in “golden letters” when the history of India was recorded.

Addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha – Seva Jyoti Yatra’ in Gurugram, Mr. Shah said Mr. Modi had completed 25 consecutive years in public office by taking “crores and crores of people” along with him.

The journey had been marked by efforts to eliminate poverty, strengthen national security, abrogate Article 370, end Naxalism, facilitate the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi and Kashi Vishwanath temples, expand infrastructure, and bring 25 crore people above the poverty line. “This journey has been about the welfare of India, the welfare of the poor, and the pride of India,” Mr. Shah said.

The ‘Seva Jyoti Yatra’ had been organised across all districts of the country to commemorate Mr. Modi’s 25 years in public life, the Minister said.

Mr. Shah appealed to people to participate in the yatra in large numbers. He also prayed for Mr. Modi’s long life and good health and said he hoped the Prime Minister would continue to lead the country for a long time.

Mr. Shah also launched the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Jyoti Yatra’, handing over the yatra torch to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who installed it near the Signature Tower here. Delivering the message of realising the resolve of a Viksit Bharat, Mr. Saini said the development of the country and the State would be meaningful only when better facilities reached every person, and people’s lives became happy, prosperous and free from problems.

Leaders from various countries across the world on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) extended greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 25 years as the elected head of a government, first as Chief Minister of Gujarat from October 2001 and then as the Prime Minister from May 2014.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, through an X post, noted that Mr. Modi had dedicated himself to the development of Indian society and the nation over the years. “I express my deep respect for your achievements in advancing India’s development and elevating its standing in the international community,” she said.

“While experiencing India’s culinary culture and music, I was able to engage in concrete discussions with Prime Minister Modi on measures to advance the Japan-India ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ to a new stage, making my stay immensely fruitful,” she said, recounting her visit to India in July.

Ms. Takaichi said, “To realise a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’, Japan and India, which share strategic directions, will further strengthen our partnership through even closer collaboration with Prime Minister Modi.”

‘Avatar of our times’

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever extended greetings to Mr. Modi. “Following my productive visit to India last month, I look forward to further deepening the strong partnership between our two countries,” he said.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay called Mr. Modi “an avatar of our times”. Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko said: “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.”

‘Emphasis on good governance’

“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,” said Philippines President Bongbong Marcos.

“From our Strategic Partnership in 2025 to the Philippines joining the CDRI last month, our ties continue to grow from strength to strength. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Manila for the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits in November,” he added.

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit also congratulated Mr. Modi.

‘Inspiring leadership across the Global South’

Wishing Mr. Modi on the occasion, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said: “From the transformation of Gujarat to India’s emergence as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, his leadership in infrastructure, digital public goods, financial inclusion and innovation has lifted millions and inspired nations across the Global South.”

“As fellow democracies and leading voices of the Global South, Nigeria and India share a common commitment to a fairer, more inclusive and more representative international order,” he said.