In his first interview to the Indian media since becoming Prime Minister in May last year, Modi spoke to Hindustan Times on a wide range of questions.
The first 10 months of PM Modi's term have been eventful. They've been marked by high-profile international diplomacy — visits to India by US President Barack Obama and China's Xi Jinping, Modi's own visits to the US and the G20 summit, and his reaching out to SAARC.
At home too, there have been stormy sessions in Parliament, the new government's first full Budget, and mixed results for his party in state and local body elections. Expectations from the Modi government have been running high and, in recent weeks, there have been rumblings of discontent, particularly in business and industry, about whether it has been able to deliver on its promise.
In his interview on Wednesday, a day before his visit to France, Germany and Canada, Prime Minister Modi said he was hopeful of positive outcomes from the trip. He said he likes to combine his official tours by visiting multiple countries to get more done. "I'm from Ahmedabad where we have a saying, 'single-fare, double journey'," he quipped.
{{/usCountry}}In his interview on Wednesday, a day before his visit to France, Germany and Canada, Prime Minister Modi said he was hopeful of positive outcomes from the trip. He said he likes to combine his official tours by visiting multiple countries to get more done. "I'm from Ahmedabad where we have a saying, 'single-fare, double journey'," he quipped.
{{/usCountry}}More from the interview:
Red tape unacceptable, rules are same for Mukesh Ambani and common man: PM Modi
Single-fare, double journey: PM Narendra Modi’s mantra for tours abroad
Open to talks with Pakistan but no violence, says PM Modi
Reversing UPA-era decline, restoring faith in India is our achievement: PM Modi
Read: PM Modi promises higher aid to distressed farmers