Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Bhutan’s Tobgay Calls Modi ‘Avatar’ as He Marks 25 Years
Narendra Modi has completed 25 years as a head of government.
Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, praised him in a letter.
Tobgay remembered meeting Modi in New Delhi in 2019, when Tobgay was a private citizen.
He said Modi treated him like an elder brother.
Tobgay also called Modi an “avatar of Vishnu,” which he explained as a way of describing an enlightened ruler.
He connected this idea to wisdom, compassion and courage.
Tobgay praised Modi’s work in Gujarat and later across India.
He said Modi helped people feel more confident about India and its future.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay praised Narendra Modi as Modi marked 25 years as head of government.
Tobgay recalled meeting Modi in New Delhi in 2019 as a private citizen and calling him an “elder brother.”
Tobgay said he saw Modi as an “avatar of Vishnu,” a view he later concluded was right.
He linked the description to enlightened leadership and qualities including wisdom, compassion, courage and selfless service.
Tobgay praised Modi’s record in Gujarat and at the national level, citing growth, infrastructure, investment, manufacturing and financial inclusion.
- Who
- Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Tobgay praised Modi’s 25 years as head of government and described him as an “avatar of Vishnu” and an “elder brother.”
- When
- Wednesday, as Modi completed 25 continuous years as head of government; he first took office on October 7, 2001.
- Where
- Tobgay recalled meeting Modi in New Delhi in 2019; Modi served as Gujarat chief minister and later as India’s prime minister.
- Why
- Tobgay said Modi had strengthened Indians’ confidence and displayed qualities he associated with an enlightened ruler.
Tobgay’s assessment
Modi’s response
Leadership and relationship
Tobgay’s assessment
Tobgay praised Modi as an enlightened ruler and an “avatar of Vishnu,” and said Modi treated him with elder-brotherly affection.
Modi’s response
Modi thanked Tobgay for his wishes and said India and Bhutan share an enduring partnership based on mutual trust and understanding.
- Person praised
- Narendra Modi
- Person issuing praise
- Tshering Tobgay, prime minister of Bhutan
- Milestone
- 25 continuous years as head of government
- First took office
- Gujarat chief minister on October 7, 2001
- Became prime minister of India
- May 2014
- Tobgay’s recalled meeting with Modi
- New Delhi, 2019
- Areas Tobgay cited
- Growth, infrastructure, investment, manufacturing, financial inclusion, sanitation and technology
- Modi’s stated development vision
- A developed India by 2047
