Singapore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today named "Asian of the Year" by a leading Singaporean press group for being focused on India's development and getting the world "excited" about the prospects of the country again.
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.
It said Mr Modi has had a highly successful visit to Japan for a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The 64-year-old leader has promised to reform the economy by cutting on the red tape and attracting foreign investments.
"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.
"We look forward to presenting the award to Mr Modi in person at his convenience," said Ravi Velloor, Straits Times foreign editor.
Every December, editors of the Singapore daily pick an Asian whose actions have significantly impacted his own society or the wider Asian continent in the past 12 months.
The inaugural award, in 2012, went to President Thein Sein of Myanmar.
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.
It said Mr Modi has had a highly successful visit to Japan for a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
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The 64-year-old leader has promised to reform the economy by cutting on the red tape and attracting foreign investments.
Advertisement
"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.
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"We look forward to presenting the award to Mr Modi in person at his convenience," said Ravi Velloor, Straits Times foreign editor.
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Every December, editors of the Singapore daily pick an Asian whose actions have significantly impacted his own society or the wider Asian continent in the past 12 months.
Advertisement
The inaugural award, in 2012, went to President Thein Sein of Myanmar.
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