Bill Hagerty

US Senators, business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected prime minister, with several describing his tenure as "nothing short of transformational".

On Wednesday, Modi crossed the milestone of 4,399 consecutive days in office, overtaking the record previously held by India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Reacting to the development, John Cornyn, Republican Senator from Texas and co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, posted on X: "Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister 4,399 days of leadership earned through the trust of 1.4 billion people across three democratic mandates."

Cornyn further praised Modi’s record, saying: "From lifting 250 million out of poverty to making India the world's fastest-growing major economy, PM Modi's tenure has been nothing short of transformational. The US-India partnership has never been stronger."

Senator Bill Hagerty, Republican from Tennessee, also extended his congratulations, stating: “Congratulations to Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi who has become the country's longest-serving prime minister. Under PM Modi's leadership, the US-India partnership has truly become comprehensive, global, and strategic.”

“You have outlasted consecutive US Presidents, some with whom you had great relationship and others you have had great grace towards, yet you never wavered in exercising clear diplomacy that upheld the interests of the Indian people coupled with the health of our two countries,” Millben said.

Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, also congratulated Modi and described the achievement as leadership earned through the trust of 1.4 billion people across three democratic mandates.

Nehru, who was first elected prime minister in 1952, took oath on May 13 and remained in office until May 27, 1964, serving a total of 4,398 days.

His earlier period in office between 1947 and 1952 was as head of the interim government, before India had institutionalised and conducted elections.

Former prime minister Indira Gandhi served for a total of 14 years between 1966 and 1984, though her tenure was interrupted after she lost the 1977 general election held following the lifting of the Emergency.