Narendra Modi's hat trick win and prime ministerial aspirations found echoes in the foreign media on Friday while New Delhi played down the West's isolation of Modi and the changing stance now.
External affairs minister Salman Khurshid said New Delhi "didn't encourage any diplomatic
isolation" of the Gujarat CM.
"We didn't encourage sovereign countries to take a particular position on Modi, but they did take that position and we have noted it. If they take another position, we will note it."
Khurshid was commenting on foreign countries, beginning with the UK, warming up to Modi. Earlier, the UK and the US had denied Modi visas.
On Friday, all leading dailies like The New York Times, Washington Post, Time, The Telegraph and Pakistan papers wrote on Gujarat polls and Modi. The "charismatic leader" was described as the "frontrunner" for the prime ministerial post.
"The polarising figure inched closer to becoming the leading political challenger to India's dominant Gandhi family," noted the New York Times.
A Time article asked "Is Narendra Modi a step closer to being India's prime minister?"
The Washington Post also contended that Modi's third victory will set stage for his prime ministerial bid.