News Desk
NEW DELHI, — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a towering figure in Indian politics, added another feather to his cap today, overtaking Indira Gandhi to become India’s second-longest-serving prime minister in a single uninterrupted term. Marking 4,078 days in office, PM Modi surpassed Ms. Gandhi’s 4,077-day tenure, a milestone that underscores his enduring grip on India’s political landscape.
As PM Modi boarded a plane for the Maldives, part of a diplomatic tour that also includes the United Kingdom, his record-breaking tenure was celebrated by supporters as a testament to his transformative leadership. The visit to the Maldives, a key Indian Ocean ally, is expected to bolster bilateral ties, with discussions focusing on climate resilience, maritime security, and economic cooperation.
The milestone is more than a numerical achievement; it cements PM Modi’s singular place in India’s history. Born in 1950, he is the only prime minister born after India’s independence in 1947 and the longest-serving leader from a non-Hindi-speaking state, Gujarat, where he was chief minister for over a decade before ascending to national office in 2014. His nearly 24 years leading elected governments—first in Gujarat and then nationally—stand unmatched among Indian prime ministers.
PM Modi’s political journey is defined by remarkable feats. He is the first non-Congress prime minister to secure a clear Lok Sabha majority and the only one since Ms. Gandhi to be re-elected with a majority. Leading his Bharatiya Janata Party to three consecutive national election victories, a record previously achieved only by Jawaharlal Nehru, PM Modi has reshaped India’s political contours. His tenure as both chief minister and prime minister includes six consecutive election wins, a rare consistency in India’s volatile electoral arena.
As PM Modi lands in Malé, the Maldivian capital, his visit symbolizes not just India’s regional ambitions but also his personal legacy as a leader who has outlasted and outmanoeuvred many of his predecessors. For now, with this historic milestone in hand, PM Modi continues to chart India’s course, both at home and abroad, with a confidence that has come to define his era.
