The last Indian election surprised everyone just as the recent one in Britain. No one could imagine in their wildest imagination that the BJP would be victorious let alone with an absolute majority like the Conservative win in the UK.
Both elections caught pollsters and pundits by surprise. They had predicted hung Parliaments in both the countries with no party enjoying an absolute majority. The electorate proved them wrong on both occasions. We can safely say that both victories were the result of the charismatic leadership of Mr Modi in India and Mr Cameron in the UK.
In the first year the Modi Govt. has demonstrated that it is an outward looking government wishing to play an important role on the global stage. Soon after taking office, Mr Modi visited numerous countries from tiny ones in the Indian ocean to giants like Canada, USA, Germany, China, Japan and so on to connect with the people and governments of those countries as well as to infuse pride in the Indian population settled there in numbers. The effect has proved electric.
The world is looking to India as a partner capable of playing an important role in global politics to bring economic stability and also growth. Mr Modi has already signed an agreement with China worth $22 billion. South Korea has pledged $10 billion for infrastructure projects in India. Japan will invest $35 billion over the period of five years.
I hope the next year will be dedicated to empowering people in India by building roads, rail and air network to improve travel and transport which is essential if the economy is to grow. The task ahead is a huge one but I am optimistic that Prime Minister Modi will change India and the psyche of Indians for good. I wish the Modi Govt. every success in making India a force for good in the world.
Dr Rami Ranger MBE
By email