Despite being relatively new to the job, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a mark in the country and outside. The recent nomination of Modi as “Asian of the Year” by editors of Singapore’s leading daily, The Straits Times is a tribute to the development-focused leader of India. Modi 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. The highly successful visit to Japan for a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has caught the eyes of the world. He has given his people a renewed sense of direction and purpose, and there are hopeful signs that he is inclined to use his strong mandate to good effect in one of Asia’s major powers. We wish him and India every success, editor of the daily said. On the economy, Modi’s call for a Make in India campaign, if pursued to its logical conclusion with a friendlier investment climate and less rigid labour norms, could help fire up the growth engines of the $2 trillion economy and provide welcome ballast to the region when the top Asian economy China is slowing, and Japan is in recession. Politically and socially, Modi has energised India with his stirring calls for a development focus. In January, he will receive US President Barack Obama, the first time that a US leader will be the Chief Guest at the annual Republic Day celebrations in India. The editors’ choice was based on several factors. Modi was picked for being development-focused Prime Minister of India who fashioned an impressive victory for BJP in the polls. In 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 12 months past. Last year, the award was shared by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The inaugural award, in 2012, went to President Thein Sein of Myanmar. The award is also recognising India’s growing stature as an emerging economy which has strong fundamentals to strive in any circumstances. A resurgent India will be a boon for the region and the world.
