Modi named The Straits Times 'Asian of the Year'

Singapore, Dec 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been named The Straits Times "Asian of the Year 2014" for being a "development-focused" leader who also fashioned an impressive victory for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the year's national elections. Under his leadership, the paper also saw India picking up the growth baton from China. "Despite being relatively new to the job, he (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 newspaper said. "He also has had a highly successful visit to Japan for a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In January, he will receive President Barack Obama of the US, the first time that a US leader will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations of India." Terming Modi, 64, as the first Indian premier to be born after the nation's independence, the paper said its editors picked him for a host of factors, notably his campaigns such as "Toilets before Temples" and "Make in India" that have energised India socially and politically. The paper said if his "Make in India" campaign is pursued with friendlier investment climate and less rigid labour norms, it could fire the growth of this $2 trillion economy and the region at large, especially when China as number one is slowing and Japan as number two is in recession. "Economists project that as early as next year, India could pick up the growth baton from China," the paper said in a statement, reproducing the citation of its editors while conferring Modi with the award. "As much for his (Modi's) performance as a growth-focused provincial administrator as for the promise of what is to come for India under his leadership, The Straits Times declares Prime Minister Narendra Modi Asian of the Year for 2014."