Modi named in 2018's Forbes Most Powerful People list: Top 10 most influential world leaders

Larry Page | Co-founder, Google | CEO of Alphabet - the parent company of Google - virtually influences almost everyone connected to the internet through his work. He is ranked 10th on Forbes Most Powerful People 2018 list. Page is also one of the wealthiest individuals on earth with over $50 billion in his pockets. (Reuters)

Narendra Modi | Prime Minister, India | Ranked 9th, Modi is the head of state of the second most populous nation in the world. Apart from enjoying a massive following and popularity, he commands the third largest economy (by Purchasing Power Parity) in the world. The Ministry of Defence under the Indian government manages the Indian Armed Forces that has the second largest army in the world. (Reuters)

Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud | Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia | A new entrant in the list at the 8th position. Mohammad Bin Salman virtually controls the oil-rich nation. In November 2017, he launched an "anti-corruption campaign" that led to the arrest of many prominent Saudis who were also forced to turn over their fortunes. Forbes predicts, he “will be the fulcrum around which the Middle Eastern geopolitics moves for the next generation.” (Reuters)

Bill Gates | Co-founder, Microsoft | According to multiple reports and surveys, most of the personal computers in the world run on operating systems produced by his company. Though retired, he now looks after his philanthropy works through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is making efforts to improve the social condition in various developing and under-developed nations. Gates is also the second richest person walking on earth with a wealth of $92 billion. (Reuters)

Pope Francis | Pope, Roman Catholic Church | Ranked sixth, he is the head of the religion which is followed by over a billion people. Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he is the first pope from outside Europe since the eighth century. (Reuters)

Jeff Bezos | Founder, Amazon | The richest man on earth, with $132 billion in his coffers, Bezos is ranked fifth in the Forbes Most Powerful People 2018 list. He also heads one of the largest online retailer in the world with sales over $136 billion. Apart from retail, Amazon has interests in OTT services and other internet related markets. (Reuters)

Angela Merkel | Chancellor, Germany | Only woman in top 10 in the list, Merkel is ranked fourth. The experienced stateswoman is the “de facto leader of Europe”, according to Forbes. In coming years, she faces multiple storms which include Brexit and growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the continent. (Reuters)

Donald Trump | President, United States of America | Despite facing multiple challenges at the personal and political front which include investigations by US law enforcement authorities, he is ranked third on the list. The Septuagenarian commands the world's greatest economic and military power, justifying his high ranking in the list. (Reuters)

Vladimir Putin | President, Russia| The head of state of the largest country on earth according to landmass for the last 18 years is ranked second in the list. He has been holding on to the power unabatedly and was re-elected to a fourth term with nearly 77 percent of the vote earlier this year — largest margin since the Soviet era. (Reuters)

Xi Jinping | President, China | Jinping who tops the list is the head of the executive of the most populous nation on earth. He, in March, virtually secured indefinite term at the helm of the second largest economic power. “He enjoys a cult of personality not seen since Chairman Mao,” Forbes stated.