File photo: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: The President, world leaders and BJP-led NDA members Wednesday congratulated PM Narendra Modi on his 25-year unbroken stint as head of govt, with President Droupadi Murmu saying the momentous milestone reflected his steadfast commitment to people’s well-being and India’s progress.“The transformation witnessed across our country in recent years is visible in the lives of people,” she said.Home minister Amit Shah said Modi’s journey of service, struggle and dedication since 2001 was synonymous with the welfare of the poor, women’s empowerment and prosperity of every section of society. His pro-people policies and decisive leadership had established the model of politics of performance, he added.Key BJP ally and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu praised Modi for his clarity of vision, integrity, discipline, attention to detail and, above all, the ability to execute. Hailing his 25 years as head of govt as an “inspiring chapter” of transformative leadership, Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde said it had given a new dimension to the country’s politics, the concept of development, and India’s global role.

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi lauded his dedication to India’s development and said since 2001, Modi had demonstrated “outstanding political leadership”. She said, “I express my deep respect for your achievements in advancing India’s development and elevating its standing in the international community.”Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay called Modi “an avatar of our times”. Recalling his meeting in New Delhi in 2019 as a private citizen, Tobgay said he told the PM he saw him as an elder brother and “an avatar of Vishnu”.“In our part of the world, I explained, enlightened rulers have long been regarded as such,” Tobgay said, adding Modi awakened in Indians a “powerful belief in themselves and in their country”.Belgium’s PM Bart De Wever, Dominican PM Roosevelt Skerrit and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent congratulatory messages and praised Modi’s leadership.