Oslo, May 13 -- As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Scandinavian country of Norway from May 18 to May 19 as part of his five-nation tour, former Norwegian Minister and ex-head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Erik Solheim, came out strongly, praising the Indian head of the government for his leadership and environmental vision, noting that Western leaders have "a lot to learn" from his "constant green message" while calling him the "world's most popular politician".

In an article published in Norwegian newspaper Dagens Naeringsliv, Solheim highlighted Modi's popularity, economic reforms, and push for green growth, describing him as a transformational leader driving India's rise on the global stage.

"We...