SINGAPORE- A book which chronicles India's journey in the decade before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rise was launched by Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong on Thursday (April 22).

Titled India Rising: Fresh Hope, New Fears, the book is written by Straits Times associate editor Ravi Velloor, 58, who was formerly the paper's foreign editor and South Asia bureau chief.

In a speech at the book launch at the National Library Building, Mr Velloor said the book captures the significant events of the years under former India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and examines how the country dealt with those issues.

"Each chapter is self-contained," said Mr Velloor, whose journalism career spans 36 years. "I wrote it for a reader who has a general interest in India and is keen to know a bit more about it," said Mr Velloor, who writes a "Speaking Of Asia" column in the paper.

The 384-page book also assesses India's potential to become the world's fifth largest economic power by the end of this decade and discusses issues, such as the unease that minorities feel under Mr Modi, a leader backed by Hindu nationalist forces.

Mr Goh said the book captures key political changes in the country and referred to Mr Velloor as a "keen observer of events and a good narrator".

He also noted Singapore's excellent relations with India, citing the attendance of PM Modi at the State Funeral Service of late Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

"Since our independence, we have remained steadfast partners of India," said Mr Goh.

"I continue to believe in the immense potential of India... To have a shining future, India must proceed steadily down the path of ecnomic reform, development and modernisation."

More than 200 guests attended the launch at The Pod at the National Library. The State Bank of India, Singapore, sponsored the event while the National Library Board sponsored the venue.

The book is published by Straits Times Press- the book publishing arm of Singapore Press Holdings - and available at all major bookstores as well as online at www.stpressbooks.com.sg at $34.90 (including GST).