US President Barack Obama profiles PM Narendra Modi in TIME Most influential list of 2015

US President Barack Obama has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his ambitious vision to help more Indians to overcome socio-economic injustices, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's rise from poverty to be the leader of the world's largest democracy reflects India's rise in the comity of nations, as also its dynamism.

In an article on the prime minister for the TIME magazine, labelled 'Reformer-in-chief', Obama writes: "Determined to help more Indians follow in his path, he's (Modi) laid out an ambitious vision to reduce extreme poverty, improve education, empower women and girls and unleash India's true economic potential while confronting climate change."

Modi figures in TIME magazine's 100 most influential people list of 2015.

The prime minister took to Twitter to thank the US president for his kind words.

"Dear Barack Obama your words are touching and inspiring. Thanks TIME," Modi tweeted and provided a link to the article in the magazine.

Here's the full text of the article in TIME's latest issue:

"INDIA'S REFORMER-IN-CHIEF

 As a boy, Narendra Modi helped his father sell tea to support their family. Today, he's the leader of the world's largest democracy, and his life story-from poverty to Prime Minister-reflects the dynamism and potential of India's rise.
Determined to help more Indians follow in his path, he's laid out an ambitious vision to reduce extreme poverty, improve education, empower women and girls and unleash India's true economic potential while confronting climate change. Like India, he transcends the ancient and the modern-a devotee of yoga who connects with Indian citizens on Twitter and imagines a "digital India."

When he came to Washington, Narendra and I visited the memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We reflected on the teachings of King and Gandhi and how the diversity of backgrounds and faiths in our countries is a strength we have to protect. Prime Minister Modi recognizes that more than 1 billion Indians living and succeeding together can be an inspiring model for the world."

Like Obama, the US magazine also approached other renowned personalities to profile the 99 others in its list of 100 most influential people of 2015.

While Deutsche Bank co-CEO Anshu Jain profiles ICICI Bank MD Chanda Kochhar, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk writes about singer Kanye West. Similarly, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has given an introduction for AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes.

 (With Agencies inputs)