)
The stunning victory of Narendra Modi-led BJP in the Lok Sabha polls today drew mixed reactions from the media across the world, with some hailing the results while a few others cautioning against high expectations from the new government.
The BJP's victory was given extensive coverage by Pakistani media, with all leading English and Urdu newspapers publishing front-page headlines about the "controversial leader" sweeping the polls by mauling the Congress.
"Modi wave sweeps India," was the headline of the right-wing 'The Nation'.
"Triumphant Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi pledged to make it 'India's century' as he propelled his party to stunning electoral triumph Friday with the biggest winning margin for 30 years," the paper said.
Conservative but popular Dawn's headline was "BJP knocks out Congress".
The paper termed the victory as a right-wing shift bringing back "revanchist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with an unprecedented and unexpectedly firm grip on power."
The News, under the headline "Modi set to become Indian PM", said: "Opposition leader Narendra Modi will be India's next prime minister, winning the most decisive victory the country has seen in more than a quarter century and sweeping the long-dominant Congress party from power, partial results showed on Friday."
"BJP landslide win catapults Modi to power" was the headline of The Express Tribune, that also termed the win as "stunning".
Urdu newspapers like Jang, Nawa-i-Waqt, Express, Mashriq, Khabrain, Dunya, Jehan Pakistan etc also carried front-page stories about Modi's victory.
The overall coverage focused on his mercurial rise and clinching the top job.
Modi's victory was well publicised by the Chinese official media with photo of him seeking the blessings of his mother after BJP swept the polls yesterday.
The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post in its commentary said: "China will be counting the potential pay-off from a personal relationship" it nurtured with the BJP leader.
"Over the years, China and Modi have invested heavily in each other and forged a bond that could have far-reaching ramifications not only for Sino-Indian relations, but also for the US "Asia pivot" strategy at a time when territorial disputes in the South China Sea are taking a violent turn.
