PM Modi becomes first world leader to cross 100 million Instagram followers
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first world leader to cross 100 million followers on Instagram. This achievement underscores his growing global digital influence, with his follower count now significantly outpacing other prominent leaders such as US President Donald Trump, who has 43.2 million followers. Modi’s Instagram success highlights India’s rising political and cultural influence on the world stage.
Modi joined Instagram in 2014, and since then, he has consistently expanded his online presence. His follower count far exceeds that of other global leaders, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (15 million), Brazilian President Bolsonaro (14.4 million), Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (11.6 million), and Argentine President Javier Milei (6.4 million). Even the combined followers of these five leaders fall short of Modi’s individual tally, solidifying his position as a leader with unparalleled digital reach.
Within India, Modi’s lead is equally dominant. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath follows with 16.1 million followers, while Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has around 12.6 million followers. This gap reflects Modi’s unique ability to connect with people across the country and beyond through social media.
Modi’s influence extends beyond just numbers—he also leads in global approval ratings. Surveys show that he holds a 70% approval rating, making him the most favored leader among selected world leaders as of December 2025. This is higher than Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (63%) and Argentine President Javier Milei (60%). His approval rating remained strong in 2026, with a 67% score according to Morning Consult data.
This achievement matters because it underscores the importance of digital engagement in modern leadership. Modi’s Instagram success demonstrates how social media can amplify a leader’s global influence and shape perceptions
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/26/2026