Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on Wednesday, 17 September, drawing birthday messages from heads of state and government across the world. Many leaders paired their greetings with references to strategic partnerships and cooperation with India, and Modi responded to several of them individually on social media the next day.
Russia
President Vladimir Putin congratulated Modi and highlighted his role in strengthening the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between India and Russia. Putin’s message also touched on Modi’s standing on the global stage and expressed support for continued cooperation between the two countries.
United States
President Donald Trump’s greeting was conveyed through the US Embassy in India, which posted a photograph of Modi and Trump from the Indian premier’s Washington visit alongside a message wishing him health and happiness in the coming year. The message came against the backdrop of friction between the two countries, with the US Congress having cleared legislation proposing stronger sanctions against Russia and Iran just a day earlier — a bill with implications for countries, including India, that buy Russian energy.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Modi “health, energy, and success” and pointed to the growing friendship between India and Italy. In his reply, Modi expressed confidence in further strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership.
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Modi’s leadership had transformed India into a “world power” and described the friendship between the two nations as stronger than ever.
Bangladesh
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman conveyed warm wishes through the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, hoping Modi’s “dedicated service to the people of India” would continue “accompanied by good health and high spirits.”
Bhutan
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay sent his greetings, which Modi acknowledged by saying he deeply cherished the sentiments.
Dominica
President Roosevelt Skerrit’s message reflected the close relationship between India and Dominica and the wider India-CARICOM engagement.
World Health Organization
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus combined his birthday wishes with thanks for India’s recent hosting duties, telling Modi: “Thank you for hosting a successful #BRICS Leaders Summit, for putting health high on the agenda, and for securing strong commitments by BRICS Leaders to #HealthForAll and global health security.” Modi later thanked Tedros for the exchange during the BRICS summit on shared health commitments.
Sri Lanka
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also sent greetings, praising Modi’s warmth towards Sri Lanka and voicing hope that ties between the two countries would deepen further.
Japan
Japan’s Ambassador to India, Ono Keiichi, extended birthday wishes while highlighting India’s development vision and the India-Japan partnership.
Others
Diplomatic representatives from Japan, Australia and other countries also extended their wishes, according to reports, though not all messages were individually detailed in available coverage.
At home
Domestically, President Droupadi Murmu greeted Modi on his birthday, saying he had “established many new benchmarks of good governance.” The day also saw the release of a song titled “Ashirwad Ka Diya” marking 25 years of Modi’s public service, which he said had “deeply touched” him. The BJP separately launched a month-long outreach programme, the “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan,” running from 17 September to 17 October to mark the occasion.
