Narendra Modi is the 14th Prime Minister of India, holding office since May 2014. He is the first prime minister born after India’s independence and a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Prior to becoming the nation’s prime minister, Modi served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, where he gained national prominence. He represents the Varanasi constituency in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha, a seat he has held since 2014.
Narendra Modi joined the RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent, in the 1970s and joined the BJP in 1987. The following year he was chosen as the party’s general secretary for Gujarat. Modi took oath as Gujarat CM in 2001, after replacing Keshubhai Patel, who was held responsible for the government’s poor response to the Bhuj earthquake. Modi contested his first-ever election in 2002, shortly after which the Gujarat riots fueled controversy over his leadership. The Supreme Court in 2022 gave a clean chit to Modi and 63 others in a plea exploring a larger conspiracy behind the riots.
Known for his extensive foreign tours, Modi has been credited with raising India’s global profile. Events like “Howdy Modi” in the U.S. and his visits to countries such as Israel, Japan, and the UAE have underscored his foreign policy successes. He is said to have developed strong relations with top world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, Modi’s leadership has been marked by several controversial statements, especially leading up to the 2024 elections. These include remarks on national security, religion, and political opposition, which have ignited debates.
Very well analysed! Perhaps it is the frenetic pace of liberalism, modernity, science and technology over past 2 decades, which makes people want to get off and get medieval. Purely for nostalgia.
You make an important point about bjp not having a strategic agenda beyond the borders of our country. Mr Modi is often compared with Mrs Gandhi, where he differs from her is the international ambition. Mrs Gandhi’s NAM and CHOGM were flawed but showed her international ambitions. Mr Modi, despite trotting the globe, does not seem to have a clear strategy on what India wants to achieve from so much international contact. His much tom-tommed visits to our neighbourhood – Pakistan, Nepal, China and now perhaps even Bhutan- have seen a worsening of relationships with them. Worst perhaps in decades.
At least on university campuses, it should be Make love, not war …