Narendra Modi turns 70, wishes pour in from across the world for India's PM

Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli tweeted, "Warm greetings to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji on the auspicious occasion of your birthday. I wish you good health and happiness. We will continue working closely together to further strengthen relations between our two countries."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel wished Modi in a letter.

Merkel wrote, "For your political work, I wish you continued success. On a personal note, I wish you all the very best in the future - particularly, in these usual times, health, happiness and fulfillment."

In a letter to Modi, Finland PM Sanna Marin said, "On the occasion of your 70th birthday on 17 September 2020, let me express my heartfelt congratulations to you and my best wishes for your good health and wellbeing."

Back in India, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the prime challenger to Modi in the Indian politics, wished the PM on his 70th birthday.

Gandhi tweeted, "Wishing PM Narendra Modi ji a happy birthday."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, "My greetings to the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji on his 70th Birthday. I wish him a healthy and successful year ahead."

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik tweeted, "Warm birthday wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. May you be blessed with good health and long life."

Modi, who represents the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), became the country's PM in 2014 and he was reelected in 2019.

Before assuming the PM's post, the saffron leader had remained the CM of the western state of Gujarat for three straight terms.