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The Forbes magazine ranked Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the ninth most powerful person in the World in a 2015 list. Forbes said about the about Modi, that “India's "populist" PM presided over 7.4% GDP growth in his first year in office, and "raised his profile" as a global leader during official visits with Barack Obama and Xi Jinping.”
In the 2014 Forbes list, Modi was placed 14th among the powerful people of the world. Forbes said that it needs more than ‘shaking hands’ for governing 1.2 billion people in India and Modi must pass reform agenda of BJP while keeping "fractious opposition" under control.
Russian President Vladimir Putin topped the Forbes 2015 list of powerful people of the world. He is followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel (second place), Barack Obama (third place), Pope Francis (fourth place) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (fifth place). Others in the top ten along with Modi are Microsoft Founder Bill Gates (sixth place) US Federal Reserve Chairperson Janet Yellen (seventh place), UK Prime Minister David Cameron (eighth place) and Google's Larry Page(tenth place)
The magazine said, "A barnstorming tour of Silicon Valley reinforced his nation's massive importance in tech. But governing 1.2 billion people requires more than shaking hands: Now Modi must pass his party's reform agenda and keep fractious opposition under control."
According to the magazine, hundreds of candidates were considered across different walks of life all across the globe to compile the list of most powerful people of the world. Spheres that are mainly considered are financial resources controlled by a person, power over lots of people, candidate’s power in multiple spheres, active usage of candidate’s power.
Other Indians and Indian Origin people in Forbes magazine 2015 list
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani is the only other Indian who ranked 36th in the Forbes magazine powerful people's 2015 list. Steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella are among Indian-origin people who were placed in the list at 55th position and 61st place respectively.
About Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Forbes said he "continues to prove he's one of the few men in the world powerful enough to do what he wants -- and get away with it".
"International sanctions set in place after he seized Crimea and waged war-by-proxy in the Ukraine have kneecapped the Ruble and driven Russia into deepening recession, but haven't hurt Putin one bit: In June his approval ratings reached an all-time high of 89 per cent," Forbes noted.
According to the magazine, German Chancellor Angela Merkel continues her reign ‘as the most powerful woman on the planet for 10 years running.’
"But as Obama enters the final year of his presidency, it's clear his influence is shrinking, and it's a bigger struggle than ever to get things done,” Forbes said.
"At home, his approval ratings are perpetually stuck under 50 per cent; abroad, he's outshined by Angela Merkel in Europe, and outmaneuvered by Putin in the Middle East," the magazine added.
-Sumana
