Serbia’s former President Aleksandar Vucic has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for elevating India’s standing on the global stage, while saying that efforts are being made to undermine the Indian Prime Minister despite his achievements. Vucic’s remarks, made during a podcast, went viral on October 7, 2026, as PM Modi marked 25 years in public office, a political journey that began with his appointment as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001.
Vucic said PM Modi had transformed India into a significant global power and accomplished major achievements, but continued to face attempts to discredit his leadership. Drawing attention to what he described as a wider international pattern of undermining political leaders, the former Serbian President cited Modi as a prominent example.
“You have a leader like Narendra Modi. And now there is an effort to undermine him. PM Modi has raised India to the heavens. He tries to follow the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi,” Vucic said.
He further observed that India had become increasingly important in international affairs under Modi’s leadership.
“India became so important on the world stage because of him. Became a force. He has done tremendous things, yet they try to tear him down by claiming he failed or don’t know what. It has become a pattern,” Vucic added.
BJP cites Vucic’s remarks as recognition of PM Modi’s global leadership
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quickly highlighted Vucic’s comments, presenting them as international recognition of PM Modi’s leadership and India’s growing global influence.
“When world leaders speak like this about our Prime Minister, it says everything. India under PM Modi is rising, and the world is taking notice,” the BJP said in a post on X.
BJP national spokesperson Sanju Verma also amplified the remarks, linking Vucic’s comments to what she described as attempts to create instability and undermine the electoral mandate given to PM Modi by Indian voters.
“Serbian President talks about attempts to create instability and undermine the popular mandate given by India’s electorate to PM Modi,” Verma tweeted.
Vucic, who has previously expressed support for closer India-Serbia relations and spoken positively about Modi’s leadership, also congratulated the Prime Minister on October 7, 2026.
“Few people can say they have devoted a quarter of a century to serving their country, first as CM of Gujarat and then as Prime Minister,” Vucic said.
“I know how deeply you care about India and its future, and the world can see how high you have raised India,” he added.
In June 2026, Vucic was among the first international leaders to congratulate Modi on becoming the longest-serving elected Prime Minister. Vucic’s remarks also coincided with the completion of 25 years since Modi began holding public office in October 2001.
PM Modi outlines Viksit Bharat goals as India marks 25 years of public service
The relationship between PM Modi and Vucic has included high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Serbia.
In February 2026, the two leaders held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit. They agreed to deepen cooperation in defence and manufacturing, reflecting efforts to expand economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
Their February meeting was their second encounter, following Vucic’s participation in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in 2017.
Meanwhile, PM Modi called on Indians to adopt a determined “we will do it” attitude as he reiterated his vision of Viksit Bharat, or a developed India, by 2047.
Marking 25 years in public office, PM Modi outlined four key goals for India’s development that making the country one of the world’s three largest economies, establishing India as a self-reliant global manufacturing hub, positioning the country as a contender to host the Olympic Games, and expanding India’s presence in space.
“Viksit Bharat by 2047, we will do it; hosting the Olympics, we will do it; setting foot in space, we will do it,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister’s message emphasised national ambition, economic growth, manufacturing self-reliance, sporting aspirations and space exploration as key priorities for India’s future.
Vucic’s remarks underscore PM Modi’s transformative leadership and India’s remarkable rise as a major global power. As India advances towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Serbian leader’s praise highlights the growing international recognition of Modi’s achievements and his role in strengthening India’s position on the world stage.
