Putin, Netanyahu, Trump lead outpouring of wishes on Indian PM Modi’s 75th birthday
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People walk past a billboard during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday celebrations in Bangalore on Sept 17.
PHOTO: EPA
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- Modi received birthday wishes, even a Times Square billboard, boosting his image after US tariffs and domestic criticism.
- Trump's call and Modi's reply signal eased tensions after disagreements over Russian oil and a Pakistan ceasefire.
- Despite the celebrations, analysts warn economic challenges like joblessness and inequality remain pressing domestic concerns.
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NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not have asked for a better 75th birthday.
Birthday wishes poured in from everywhere and even showed up on a billboard in New York’s Times Square.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu each sent a video message to mark the Indian leader’s birthday on Sept 17.
Not to be outdone, US President Donald Trump personally called Mr Modi to extend birthday wishes and even praised the Indian leader on social media for “doing a tremendous job”.
With the hashtag #MyModiStory, social media and Indian media outlets were also awash with congratulations and tributes from Indians at home and abroad from all walks of life, expressing the impact Mr Modi has had on their lives.
“The congratulatory and overly effusive Indian media coverage is clearly an attempt to shore up Modi’s image at home and overseas,” said Professor Rohit Chopra of Santa Clara University in the US.
It has been a challenging 2025 for Mr Modi.
Ties with the US soured after the Trump administration slapped 50 per cent tariffs on India’s exports to the world’s largest economy.
His domestic political opponents have assailed him for mismanaging India’s foreign policy.
So, this outpouring of birthday greetings from world leaders could be just the medicine he needed to shore up his image at home and overseas, and to counter criticism by the opposition.
Mr Modi responded warmly to Mr Trump online.
“Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday,” Mr Modi said.
Coupled with ongoing trade talks that took place a day before an easing of bilateral tensions
Mr Modi also faced criticism from within his support base earlier in 2025 for agreeing to a ceasefire with Pakistan following a limited military conflict in May triggered by a terror attack in Kashmir. Mr Trump repeatedly claimed credit for brokering that truce, irking Indian hardliners.
Columnist Neerja Chowdhury noted that endorsements from world leaders would resonate domestically, helping Mr Modi’s image back home as a global statesman.
“What it underlines is that he (Mr Modi) continues to rule the roost (in India) and has a grip over the situation, including after the setback (in Pakistan), where he came (under) attack from hardliners for the ceasefire and for Trump derailing the process by announcing the ceasefire,” said Ms Chowdhury.
In India, videos, newspaper advertisements and online tributes highlighted Mr Modi’s achievements in their birthday greetings.
Indian billionaire and Asia’s richest person Mukesh Ambani, who is chairman of Reliance Industries Limited, said “God Almighty” sent Mr Modi to make India the “greatest nation on earth”.
“It is my deepest wish that Modi-ji should continue to serve India when independent India turns 100,” Mr Ambani said in a video message. Independent India turns 100 in 2047.
Dubai-based ExH Productions paid for the advertisements in New York celebrating Mr Modi’s birthday. The firm, whose one-page website says it operates “with complete confidentiality”, did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Suggestions that Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was behind the effusive birthday greetings were dismissed by the party.
“It’s not part of a campaign. What has happened is a huge reaction coming from foreign countries and a spontaneous reaction from the diaspora settled there,” said BJP spokesman Tom Vadakkan, who dismissed any suggestion that Mr Modi faced challenges at home.
“Mr Modi stood his ground and protected Indian interests.”
Still, as Mr Modi enters his 75th year deep into his third term as Indian prime minister, analysts warned that foreign policy optics might not overshadow pressing domestic concerns.
Delhi-based journalist Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay pointed to economic headwinds, including joblessness, rising inequality and inflation.
“He is facing serious economic challenges, including growing disparity in the country, joblessness and growing dependency on dole,” he noted.
