New Delhi: Former US President Barack Obama on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having a 'vision for India', but lauded the contribution of his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh for his contribution in modernising the Indian economy.‘’I like him, but I am a great fan of Dr Singh too,’’ Mr Obama said when journalist Karan Thapar asked him about his opinion on Mr Modi at the HT Leadership Summit here.
The former US President said Prime Minister Modi has a vision for the country, and he was modernising so many things in many ways, but Dr Singh in his tenure also took several bold steps, like opening up the country’s economy, which was very important.He said that during the tenure of Dr Singh and Mr Modi, India-US relationship grew stronger.‘’ India and the US were both democracies and my job was to work with whichever party was in power,’’ Mr Obama said.
He said both Mr Modi and Dr Singh were honest and straightforward with him, and both took tough steps for the country.Dr Singh liberalised the Indian economy, and Mr Modi went for the Paris climate accord, and both these steps required courage, the former US President said.(UNI)