‘PM gave India’s foreign policy a spine’: Amit Shah takes swipe at Nehru, says historians will judge Modi's era more favourably

Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given India’s foreign policy “a spine,” setting it apart from the approach of his predecessors, including Jawaharlal Nehru.

Speaking to NDTV, Shah argued that Modi’s tenure would ultimately be judged more favourably than Nehru’s. “When historians compare Prime Minister Modi’s era with that of other leaders, the outcome will favour PM Modi,” he said.

Nehru remains India’s longest-serving prime minister, with more than 16 years in office, while Modi, in power for over 11 years, is the second-longest-serving. Modi also holds the record as Gujarat’s longest-serving chief minister, serving from 2001 to 2014.

Shah dismissed suggestions that the BJP’s electoral dominance stems from a “larger-than-life personality cult” around Modi or that it paves the way for a presidential-style system. “Personality cannot be made. It is built through hard work, sacrifice, patience, and continuous effort,” he said.

Pointing to Modi’s journey, Shah added, “From a child from a very poor family, to working in an organisation, to contesting Sarpanch elections, becoming a successful Chief Minister, and then the Prime Minister, he has achieved many things that seemed impossible. The country and the world have taken note of his accomplishments.”

He also credited Modi’s stature as the BJP’s main election face, particularly in constituencies where the party lacks strong local candidates. “His speeches draw millions to rallies, and his popularity has remained consistently high since the BJP came to power in 2014,” Shah noted.

Reflecting on Modi’s rise, Shah, who has known him since his RSS pracharak days, said: “He has excelled in every role he has taken on, and his growth has been the result of dedication and perseverance.”