Historical Figure
Narendra Modi
b. 1950
Prime Minister of India since 2014
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Biography
Narendra Damodardas Modi is an Indian politician who has served as the prime minister of India since 2014. Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 and is the member of parliament (MP) for Varanasi. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindutva paramilitary volunteer organisation. He is the longest-serving prime minister outside the Indian National Congress.
Timeline
The story of Narendra Modi, told in moments.
Indira Gandhi declares a state of emergency. The RSS is banned. Modi goes underground. Travels in disguise. Once as a monk, once as a Sikh. Prints and distributes anti-government pamphlets. Arranges safe houses. He is 25.
Sworn in as Chief Minister of Gujarat, replacing the ailing Keshubhai Patel. He'd refused the deputy position. "Fully responsible for Gujarat or not at all." Five months later, the 2002 riots consume his state and define his political identity for decades.
The US State Department bars him from entering the United States under the International Religious Freedom Act. He's the only person ever denied a visa under this law. The UK and EU ban him too. All three bans get lifted after he becomes prime minister.
Leads the BJP to a parliamentary majority in the general election. First single-party majority since 1984. Becomes Prime Minister of India. The man who couldn't get a US visa gets invited to Washington.
Wins reelection with a larger majority. His government revokes the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, passes the Citizenship Amendment Act, and deploys internet shutdowns across the region. Critics call it democratic backsliding. His approval ratings don't budge.
In Their Own Words (20)
Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year.
"PM speaks with President Putin" PM India (August 8, 2025), 2025
I don't want any credit. I don’t need any credit. But the Army is ours. It is our pride. Why should not we take pride in that? Don't give credit to Modi. But we must hail our forces for their stunning achievement. [...] Experts were thinking if we should carry out the airstrikes some other day due to bad weather. However, I suggested that these clouds can provide us much needed cover.
On during an interview at ', as quoted in PM on News Nation: Why Modi planned Balakot airstrike on February 26, 12 May 2019, Nabanita Chakorborty (ed.), ', 2019
They can call me 'Neech'- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work.
PM Modi speech in Surat. (2017) Quoted in, 2017
I don't do anything in a vindictive manner. Look at my 14-year track record in Gujarat. People don't vote me to power to take revenge.
Interview with media outlet, quoted by First Post, "People don't vote me to power to take revenge: Modi" (16 April 2014)., 2014
I am constantly trying to find solutions to the problems of the nation. However, our opponents are engrossed in finding a solution to Modi. This mentality can never benefit the nation[.]
Rally in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, quoted by First Post, "Modi welcomes Paswan to NDA: 'National Development Alliance'" (3 March 2014)., 2014
Artifacts (15)
Modis India: the Bharatiya Janata Party gets a clear mandate for a second term
Erwartungsgemäß hat die Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) von Premierminister Narendra Modi die Parlamentswahl gewonnen, die im April und Mai 2019 in Indien abgehalten wurde. Nicht erwartet wurde aber,...
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