For more than a decade, Narendra Modi has remained at the center of Indian politics, shaping national debates, influencing policy priorities, and redefining the contours of electoral campaigning.

His political journey from a modest upbringing in Gujarat to becoming India’s longest-serving non-Congress prime minister represents one of the most significant leadership stories in modern democratic history.Since first taking office as prime minister in May 2014, Modi has led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through multiple national elections and overseen a period of profound political transformation.

His continued prominence in public life has made him one of the most recognizable political figures globally and one of the most influential leaders India has produced in the post-independence era.Modi’s rise was neither sudden nor accidental.

Born in Vadnagar in Gujarat, he spent decades working within the organizational framework of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) before becoming a key strategist and political organizer for the BJP. His reputation as an effective administrator grew during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, where he promoted industrial development, infrastructure expansion, and investment-driven growth.

By the time he entered the national stage in 2014, India was witnessing growing public demand for decisive leadership, economic development, and administrative efficiency. Modi positioned himself as a leader capable of delivering change, presenting a vision centered on governance, growth, and national confidence.

The BJP’s landslide victory that year marked a turning point in Indian politics.What has distinguished Modi from many of his predecessors is his ability to maintain a direct connection with voters across social, economic, and regional divides. Through mass rallies, digital outreach, radio broadcasts, and extensive travel, he has cultivated a public image that extends beyond traditional political structures.

Political analysts frequently point to this communication strategy as one of the principal reasons for his durability. Rather than relying solely on party machinery, Modi developed a personal rapport with supporters, turning elections into leadership-centered contests.

Another factor behind his longevity has been the BJP’s organizational strength. Under Modi’s leadership, the party expanded its electoral footprint into regions where it had historically struggled. State-level victories, grassroots mobilization, and a disciplined campaign structure helped transform the BJP into India’s dominant political force.

His tenure has also been marked by major policy initiatives. Programs aimed at expanding financial inclusion, increasing access to sanitation facilities, improving digital connectivity, and delivering welfare benefits directly to citizens have formed a central pillar of his governance model.

Supporters argue that these initiatives have improved state capacity and brought government services closer to ordinary citizens.Modi’s leadership has coincided with India’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.

During his years in office, India strengthened its position in global supply chains, expanded digital infrastructure, and increased its international profile through active diplomacy and participation in multilateral forums.On the world stage, Modi has cultivated relationships with leaders across ideological and geographic divides.

His engagements with the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific region have reflected an effort to position India as a leading global power.Several international leaders have publicly acknowledged India’s growing influence during Modi’s tenure.

Former and current world leaders have often described him as a strong political mandate-holder capable of implementing long-term policy goals. International forums including the G20 have provided platforms where India’s voice has become increasingly prominent.

At home, Modi’s supporters frequently cite his work ethic, disciplined lifestyle, and focus on execution as qualities that distinguish his leadership. His political messaging often emphasizes national pride, cultural heritage, self-reliance, and development.

These themes have resonated with large segments of the electorate and helped sustain his popularity across multiple election cycles.Yet longevity in democratic politics also invites scrutiny. Modi’s years in office have been accompanied by intense political debate over economic decisions, social policies, institutional reforms, and questions relating to governance.

Critics have challenged aspects of his administration’s approach, while supporters argue that difficult decisions were necessary to pursue broader national objectives.This combination of strong support and strong criticism has, paradoxically, reinforced Modi’s centrality in Indian politics.

Few leaders in contemporary India have generated such sustained public engagement, ensuring that political discourse often revolves around his policies and leadership style.Beyond electoral success, Modi’s influence can be seen in how political campaigning itself has evolved.

Modern Indian elections increasingly emphasize leadership branding, digital communication, data-driven outreach, and direct voter engagement. Many political parties have adapted elements of the campaign model refined during the Modi era.His journey has also become a source of inspiration for many supporters who view his rise from humble beginnings as evidence of the opportunities available within India’s democratic system.

The narrative of perseverance, organizational dedication, and long-term political commitment has become a defining feature of his public image.Historians and political observers will ultimately debate the long-term impact of Modi’s tenure. However, there is little disagreement about the scale of his influence.

He has presided over a period in which India experienced major economic, technological, diplomatic, and political changes while remaining one of the most electorally successful leaders in the country’s history.

As India continues its development journey, Modi’s legacy will be assessed through multiple lenses: economic performance, governance reforms, social transformation, foreign policy achievements, and his ability to reshape the political landscape. Regardless of where those debates lead, his place among the most consequential leaders of modern India is already firmly established.

The milestone comes nearly 12 years after Modi first took office on May 26, 2014. According to government figures, his uninterrupted tenure has now exceeded Nehru’s 4,398-day period as an elected prime minister, calculated from India’s first general election in 1952.

“Public service is the greatest measure of good governance,” Modi wrote on social media, adding that public trust is earned through humility, dedication and a sense of duty.

The achievement follows Modi’s return to power for a third consecutive term in 2024, making him only the second Indian leader after Nehru to secure three successive electoral mandates. His leadership has further entrenched the dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in Indian politics.

During Modi’s tenure, India’s economy expanded to approximately $4.19 trillion, becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy by nominal gross domestic product and overtaking Japan. His government has also highlighted large-scale infrastructure expansion, welfare programs and trade agreements with partners including the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Government officials credit Modi’s administration with major social development initiatives, including the construction of about 120 million household toilets, the provision of 157 million tap-water connections and the expansion of clean cooking gas access to more than 100 million beneficiaries.

Kanchan Gupta, a senior adviser at India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, described the milestone as a reflection of Modi’s role in encouraging ambitious national development goals and delivering large-scale public welfare programs.

Analysts, however, note that Modi’s record in office has also attracted criticism. Journalist and author Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay said economic growth has coincided with concerns over widening wealth inequality and what critics describe as increasing concentration of economic power.

Mukhopadhyay also pointed to concerns raised by democracy watchdogs and political observers regarding the state of democratic institutions and growing political polarization during Modi’s years in office.

Modi has frequently faced criticism from opponents and rights groups over allegations that his Hindu nationalist agenda has weakened India’s secular traditions and contributed to rising religious polarization, particularly affecting the country’s Muslim minority. His supporters reject those accusations and argue that his policies have accelerated development, improved governance and expanded access to basic services.

Kyiv (France24) – The Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have reversed three decades of progress in reducing poverty, according to the World Bank, which is warning that the global goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030 is now out of reach.

In its latest report, the Washington-based lender estimates that 70 million more people were forced into extreme poverty in 2020, the largest increase since monitoring began in 1990.

Solange Mougin speaks to Mari Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank and a former Indonesian trade minister.