At 76, Modi Pairs A Chipmaking Push At Home With A Global South Pitch Abroad
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on Thursday and spent the day opening SEMICON India 2026, a semiconductor conference and exhibition in New Delhi. The day brought together two priorities the Indian prime minister has increasingly put at the centre of his public message, of building manufacturing capacity at home and giving developing nations a larger voice abroad.
Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat. He will soon complete 25 years in elected executive office, having first become Gujarat chief minister in 2001 before taking over as prime minister in 2014.
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| Image Source: @narendramodi on X |
Modi has framed the outcome as part of a broader case for changing how the world is run. In a post on X, he said the declaration carried a message that institutions must evolve with realities and development must stay at the centre of the global agenda, and that "the voice of the Global South must be heard with greater weight".
In his concluding remarks at the summit, he said developing countries' trust in BRICS had grown because solutions were crafted "not just for them, but with them". He also warned that the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals could hinder shared progress.
On Thursday, he linked that diplomatic outcome to India's economic performance. Speaking at SEMICON India, he described the unanimous adoption of the declaration as a sign of the world's trust in India, and cited 7.8% quarterly GDP growth and an upgrade to India's sovereign rating by a Japanese credit rating agency. "On the other, the world's trust in India is also increasing," he said.
The conference itself reflects the industrial ambition his government has pursued. The fifth edition runs until 19 September under the theme "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem", with more than 600 exhibitors and delegations from more than 50 countries.
The government has approved 12 semiconductor projects under the Semicon India Programme, and three units have begun commercial production. According to government data, electronics production rose nearly six-fold between 2014-15 and 2024-25.
At home, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has placed public service at the centre of the anniversary. It launched the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a month-long campaign running until 17 October. BJP national president Nitin Nabin said the campaign would highlight Modi's 25 years of service, development and nation-building.
Birthday greetings reflected both the formal and the political sides of his standing. President Droupadi Murmu said Modi had established many new benchmarks of good governance and given new direction to inclusive development. Vice-president CP Radhakrishnan pointed to India's economic resilience and poverty reduction.
The messages also crossed party lines. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, wrote: "Happy birthday to PM Narendra Modi ji. Wishing you good health and a long life." Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay and Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah also sent wishes.
From abroad, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Modi's contribution to India-Russia relations in a message released by the Kremlin, saying he enjoyed "great authority on the global stage". The US embassy in India posted wishes on behalf of President Donald Trump.