TIME magazine has called Prime Minister Narendra Modi an "Internet star", boasting more than 18 million Twitter followers and over 32 million Facebook likes. (File Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the most influential people on the Internet, TIME magazine said, describing him as an "Internet star" who often uses social media to "conduct diplomacy".
The magazine cited PM Modi's unconventional announcement on Twitter of his visit to Pakistan last year while naming him among 'The 30 Most Influential People on the Internet' for the second year in a row in this year's unranked list.
The list includes author JK Rowling, former Olympic athlete Caitlyn Jenner, football star Cristiano Ronaldo, US presidential hopeful Donald Trump, reality TV star Kim Kardashian and her husband Kayne West.
For its second annual roundup of the most influential people on the Internet, TIME said it looked at the contenders' global impact on social media and their overall ability to drive news.
On Prime Minister Modi, TIME said the leader of the world's largest democracy is also an "Internet star", boasting more than 18 million Twitter followers and over 32 million Facebook likes.
It also cited PM Modi's use of social media to break news and conduct diplomacy.
"And unlike some of his contemporaries, he often uses social media to break news and conduct diplomacy. On Christmas Day, for example, Prime Minister Modi tweeted that he would visit the Pakistani city of Lahore to wish Nawaz Sharif, the leader of India's chief regional rival, a happy 66th birthday," the magazine stated.
Last year, PM Modi was named by TIME among the 100 most influential people in the world in its annual list, with US President Barack Obama penning an impressive profile of him.
This year's list also includes Indo-Canadian vlogger Lilly Singh, who TIME said is rapidly becoming one of the biggest stars on YouTube, both on and off-screen.
On Donald Trump, the magazine noted that he is "redefining how political candidates use social media, for better and for worse".
Despite facing flak for his often insulting tweets and comments online, Mr Trump has almost 7 million followers on Twitter, more than any other presidential candidate including Hillary Clinton, it said.