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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described his meeting with tennis legend Leander Paes as “great” and expressed national pride in the sporting icon’s achievements.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) accompanied by photographs of the warm handshake at his residence, Modi wrote:

“Had a great meeting with Shri Leander Paes Ji. India is very proud of his accomplishments in tennis. We discussed a wide range of issues. His passion towards sports and nation building is truly admirable.”

The meeting, held in New Delhi, took place just one day after Paes formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 31, in the presence of Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Sukanta Majumdar.

The timing has drawn attention as the party ramps up efforts ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, where Paes, a Kolkata native, could lend star power and connect with urban and youth voters.

Leander Paes: India’s Tennis Trailblazer

Paes, 52, remains one of India’s most decorated athletes.

He won India’s first (and only) Olympic tennis medal, bronze in men’s singles at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and amassed a record 18 Grand Slam titles: eight in men’s doubles and ten in mixed doubles.

He achieved the rare career Grand Slam in both disciplines, reached world No. 1 in doubles, and holds the Davis Cup record for most doubles wins by any player.

In 2010, he became the first Asian inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Beyond the court, Paes has long championed grassroots sports development and youth empowerment, often crediting his Davis Cup and Olympic experiences for shaping his sense of national duty.

From Court To Campaign Trail

Paes’ entry into the BJP marks a notable shift. In 2021, he had briefly aligned with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal.

On joining the saffron party, he thanked Prime Minister Modi for the opportunities to “serve the youth of the country” and described it as a “big responsibility.”

In response to Modi’s post, Paes wrote on X: “Humbled by the leadership, energy, and passion of Shri Narendra Modi Ji for our nation. Honored to be part of your team and to serve India under your guidance. Jai Hind Jai Bharat.”

Sources close to the meeting indicate that discussions touched on sports infrastructure, grassroots-level talent nurturing, and broader nation-building initiatives, topics close to both leaders’ hearts.

Modi has consistently highlighted athletes as national assets, and Paes’ passion aligns with the government’s push for Khelo India and Olympic excellence programs.

Why This Meeting Matters

The rendezvous is more than a photo-op.

It signals the BJP’s strategy of welcoming sporting legends to amplify its development narrative, especially in states like West Bengal, where youth aspirations and regional pride play key roles.

For Paes, it offers a platform to translate on-court discipline into off-court impact, from building better academies to inspiring the next generation of Indian champions.

As India gears up for future international sporting events, voices like Paes’ remind us that true nation-building blends medals with mentorship.

The meeting reinforces a powerful message: India’s sporting heroes are not just celebrated, they are actively involved in shaping the nation’s future.