Narendra Damodardas Modi; born 17 September 1950; became 14th Prime Minister of India on 26 May 2014.

Modi was a key strategist for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the successful 1995 and 1998 Gujarat state election campaigns; and was a major campaign figure in the 2009 general elections; eventually won by the Indian National Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA). He first became chief minister of Gujarat in October 2001 after the resignation of his predecessor; Keshubhai Patel; and following the defeat of BJP in the by-elections. In July 2007; he became the longest-serving Chief Minister in Gujarat's history.

Modi is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and is described as a Hindu nationalist by media and scholars. He is a controversial figure both within India and internationally as his administration has been criticised for the incidents surrounding the 2002 Gujarat riots. He has however been praised for his economic policies; which are credited with creating an environment for a high rate of economic growth in Gujarat. Pictures From History Official Photograph