A leading Singapore daily, The Straits Times, named Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the ‘Asian of the Year’.
Singapore Press Holdings Limited, the publisher of The Straits Times, said “despite being relatively new to the job, he has already made a mark on Asia, reaching out to neighbours and receiving national leaders including Xi Jinping of China and Tony Abbott of Australia.”
“Mr Modi has got India and the world excited about his country’s prospects again,” Warren Fernandez, editor of the daily said in a statement.
“He has given his people a renewed sense of direction and purpose, and there are hopeful signs that he is minded to using his strong mandate to good effect in one of Asia’s major powers. We wish him and India every success.”
“Economists project that as early as next year, India could pick up the growth baton from China. Given its huge market, its travellers who fill up hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins from Singapore to Sydney, its hunger for capital goods and commodities, a resurgent India will be a boon for the region and the world,” editors said in their citation.
The citation said in January US President Barack Obama would be the chief guest at India’s annual Republic Day celebrations — the first time a US leader will attend the function.
“We look forward to presenting the award to Mr Modi in person at his convenience,” said Ravi Velloor, Straits Times foreign editor.
(Input from PTI)
Tags: Asian of the year Narendra Modi singapore
