Desk Report:
It is rare for world leaders to send special video messages on the birthday of a world leader. But on Wednesday, on the occasion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday, several such video messages from world leaders went viral on social media.
Indian media say these messages highlight the impact Prime Minister Modi has had on shaping his global image. Leaders like Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Australia’s Anthony Albanese have praised his leadership and praised him for strengthening international partnerships.
Addressing Modi as his “friend”, Netanyahu highlighted the warm relationship and camaraderie between them in a 25-second video message. Addressing Modi by his first name, the Israeli prime minister said, “Prime Minister Modi, my friend Narendra, I would like to wish you a happy birthday. You have achieved a lot for India in your life. Under your leadership, we have achieved a lot in the friendship between India and Israel together. I look forward to meeting you soon.” May we take our partnership and friendship to greater heights. Happy birthday, my friend.’
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also called Modi a ‘friend’ in his 21-second video message and praised the contributions of the Indian community in Australia. Australia is one of India’s closest allies and both countries are part of the Quad alliance. Albanese said, ‘I look forward to many more years of friendship and progress…Happy birthday to my friend Prime Minister Modi. India and Australia are proud of such a strong friendship and we are grateful every day for the incredible contributions of the Indian community.’
Perhaps the longest birthday wish came from New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Luxon’s video was about 40 seconds long. Luxon, who visited India in March this year, began his message by greeting Modi in Hindi. He said, ‘Kia oda (a New Zealand greeting for good health), Namaskar, my dear friend Prime Minister Modi…75 years is a milestone for you. It is a reflection of the wisdom of your leadership. Because you are working towards making India a developed nation by 2047.’ Luxon also said that New Zealand is keen to partner with India on security. He recalled his visit to India and invited Modi to visit New Zealand soon.
Similar video messages were also posted by former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted a selfie from last year’s G7 summit to wish Modi on his 75th birthday. Praising Modi’s leadership, Meloni wrote in the caption of the photo, ‘Happy 75th birthday to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His strength, determination and ability to lead millions of people are a source of inspiration. I wish him good health, so that he can lead India towards a brighter future and further strengthen the relationship between our countries.’
In addition, US President Donald Trump called Modi at midnight to wish him a happy birthday. Many say that Trump’s call will bring new momentum to bilateral relations. Recently, the Trump administration imposed a total of 50 percent tariffs on India, including an additional 25 percent, for allegedly buying oil from Russia. This led to a rift in relations between the two countries.
