'Hasn't taken a day off in 25 years': Mark Carney praises PM Modi's work ethic

NEW DELHI: Canadian PM Mark Carney praised Narendra Modi's governance approach and work ethic, saying the Indian PM remained strongly focused on delivering welfare programmes directly to ordinary citizens despite policy and administrative challenges.Speaking at an interaction hosted by the Lowy Institute in Sydney Thursday, Carney reflected on his recent meetings with PM Modi in New Delhi and described him as a leader deeply committed to implementing reforms that reached people at the grassroots level. "He's a person who is very focused on delivery... to the rural household, to the person on the street," Carney said, explaining how India's financial and digital reforms were designed to ensure welfare benefits reached citizens directly.Referring to India's digital payments transformation, Carney highlighted the role of UPI in expanding financial inclusion and reducing leakages in welfare distribution. "A huge motivation for the payment system transformation, UPI and other things was to get money directly to individuals without leakage and bring hundreds of millions into formal economy," he said.Carney also commented on PM Modi's political work ethic. "He has not taken a single day off in the last 25 years either as chief minister of Gujarat or as prime minister," he said. His remarks came days after his four-day visit to India aimed at rebuilding ties following diplomatic tensions in 2023.