Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 76th birthday on Thursday, marking another year since his birth in 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat. Modi has served as India’s prime minister since 2014 after spending more than a decade as chief minister of Gujarat.
Modi began his political career with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu organisation, before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1985. He served as the party’s General Secretary between 1998 and 2001 and later became Chief Minister of Gujarat, a position he held until 2014.
During his tenure as Gujarat chief minister, the state attracted foreign investment, developed infrastructure and strengthened international ties, while most settlements were electrified. At the national level, his administration has promoted programmes including Make in India and Digital India, while foreign investment in India increased from 25 billion dollars in 2014 to 45 billion dollars in the 2018-2019 financial year, according to the source.
Modi has also authored journalistic and literary works focusing on socio-political and religious issues. Under his leadership, India has continued to play an active role in BRICS, one of the group’s founding members, with the country holding the organisation’s chairship in 2026.
Ahead of his birthday, the 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi from Sept. 12 to 13, where Modi held bilateral meetings with leaders of member countries. He said BRICS countries had agreed to establish an integrated system for responding to infectious disease outbreaks, a network of BRICS incubators and a start-up fund, while also highlighting the BRICS Connect initiative aimed at boosting employment. India’s 2026 BRICS chairship is focused on sustainability, innovation, cooperation and stability.
