The Profile of Narendra Modi
PPOG 506: Introduction to Geopolitics
Introduction
Narendra Modi was born September 17, 1950 in Vadnagar, India. He is a politician and
a government official serving as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Currently he is
serving his second term as Prime Minister of India. Before becoming the Prime Minister, he
was a Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 (D’Souza 2020).
Modi grew up in a small town in northern Gujarat where he earned his political science
degree from Gujarat University. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1987, and his political
career went up from there. In October 2001, Modi replaced the incumbent Gujarat chief
minister, Keshubhai Patel, after Patel was held responsible for the state government’s lack of
response
after an earthquake in Gujarat earlier that year that killed more than 20,000 people (D’Souza
2020). During Modi’s political rise, he established himself as an assertive leader. He was
also credited for the state’s economic growth. By 2013, he was the chosen leader of the
BJP’s campaign for the 2014 election of Prime Minister.
Profile
Narendra Modi’s greatest strength is his popularity. He is considered to be India’s most
popular leader in decades. Therefore, with popularity comes support, so he has the ability to
tackle his platform and to produce results. Furthermore, Modi is a great speaker. Someone who
has great oratorical skills can persuade and articulate his vision to his constituents and his party.
He does so by maximizing his opportunities via social media and speeches. Modi has had a
lengthy political career, so another strength would be his experience. He possesses
administrative and governance skills. Before becoming the Prime Minister, he was a Chief