In short, Prime Minister Modi has proved that a good ‘leader’ is also a good ‘manager’ and that governance requires an ability on the part of the political executive not only to make sound decisions but also to oversee their execution by the concerned.

Notably, Prime Minister Modi is also able to act as the ‘mentor’ for those working for him. That he is capable of ‘riding a crisis’ -- rather than getting overwhelmed by it -- was proven by his handling of the Covid crisis and the keen interest that he has taken in the national disaster management system.

Implementation of the direct benefit transfer schemes for the less privileged on one hand and the formulation of strategies for national security, on the other, speak for a leadership that could competently handle various spheres of national life.

The call for an ‘Atmanirbhar’ Bharat given by Prime Minister Modi is not a mere slogan but according to him, an achievable goal for a developing nation. Interestingly, he has risen from being a mere leader of a political party to becoming a tall leader of the nation whose contribution in all spheres of national life -- economic, socio-cultural or in the field of international relations -- is of an overpowering value. He governs the country with a rare combination of decisiveness and managerial acumen.

India is set to become the third largest economy with the fastest rate of growth today and credit must go significantly to the sense of drive Prime Minister Modi had instilled in the governance of a country as diverse and as full of inequalities and potential internal divides as India was. His messages of hope, emphasis on youth power, women empowerment, inclusiveness by way of seeking everybody’s ‘support’ and ‘trust’ and self-dependence in all spheres, have yielded results.

Prime Minister Modi understands that every nation needs security and economic development -- in that order -- and that is why his National Security Advisor plays a direct role in the framing of foreign policy. Prime Minister Modi’s personal outreach to world leaders has helped India to adopt an ‘independent’ stance on geopolitical developments. This has in turn facilitated this country’s rise as a world power whose voice mattered on issues of global peace and human development.

Prime Minister’s far-sighted approach to environmental protection -- he could see it as a global security issue -- is reflected in his idea of individuals making a contribution to the same through lifestyle changes and in the call of ‘LiFE’ that he gave from the platform of G20 Summit held under India’s presidency last year. Prime Minister Modi’s stature as a world leader has gone up and so has India’s position as a country on the frontline in the comity of nations.

(The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal)