S'pore PM terms Bollywood as 'soft power' of India

{image-bollywood booms eco_05042008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Singapore, Apr 5: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said India's 'soft power', led by the Mumbai-based film industry is growing, and being felt all over the Asian region. ''Bollywood makes more movies and sells more tickets than any other film industry in the world. It has an enormous global following, extending well beyond the Hindi-speaking world,'' he said at the gala dinner hosted by the Indian government and Conferderation of Indian Industries in Singapore last night. ''Indian fashion is taking off, and gaining popularity abroad with its creative designs,'' highlighted Mr Lee, also aknowledging Indian sports achievement in cricket and hockey as well as the Force India participation in Formula One race.

India's sporting calendar was also getting busier with Commonwealth Games aned Formula One Grand Prix due in 2010, he observed at the dinner organised in conjunction with India@60, the three-day conference and exhibition marking 60 years of achievement by independent India. Mr Lee said Singapore's excellent relations with is India based on mutual respect and common interests. He sounded confident that the India-Singapore partnership will be put on a more robust footing as ties are blossoming at all levels.

UNI