Modi

Narendra Damodardas Modi (born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician who has served as the prime minister of India since 2014. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) network, Modi rose to national prominence as chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. His governance in Gujarat was known for economic growth and infrastructure investment, while the 2002 communal riots became a major source of controversy and debate about his leadership.

In 2014, Modi led the BJP to a decisive national victory and formed the government; he was reelected in 2019 with an expanded parliamentary majority. His tenure has emphasized pro-business reforms and digitization, including Make in India, Digital India, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced in 2017. Demonetization in 2016 aimed at curbing black money and counterfeit currency. Social and health schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jan Dhan Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat were implemented, along with housing and sanitation initiatives. Foreign policy has sought closer ties with Western democracies, expanded engagement in the Indo-Pacific, and stronger ties with Israel and Gulf countries, while maintaining relations with neighboring states.

Critics argue the Modi government has centralized power, limited civil liberties, and prioritized majoritarian rhetoric, while supporters credit it with economic reforms, improved governance, and heightened international standing. Modi remains a polarizing figure in Indian politics, with ongoing electoral and policy debates surrounding his leadership and its impact on India's political economy and social fabric.