Moscow: Highlighting India's growing stature in the world affairs, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asserted that India had managed to make a mark for itself. “Unlike before, whatever decision is taken in the world today, India has an important role in it,” he said while addressing a 'Friends of India' event in Moscow.
The Indian Prime Minister, who concluded his two-day visit to Russia to attend the 16th Annual Summit between the two countries, noted how agencies around the world today looked up to India not just as the fastest growing economy, but as an economy with promise.
“At the end of the 20th century, they said the 21st century would be Asia's. But the world couldn't decide who would lead the day. The way things are going, it is clear India will play a key role,” Modi said, adding that those who saw India only as a market were now seeing India as a manufacturing hub.
In what appeared to be a dig at his critics back home, the Prime Minister also said that some people only talked about problems, while his government was working to resolve them. "There are some people who are engaged in counting problems all the time and keep whining about them. There are some others who try to find solutions to the problems," Modi said
While admitting that every country in the world had problems, Modi asserted that India is making attempts to resolve these problems. "Results in this direction are now showing up," he told a gathering of about 3,000.
The PM further informed that India and Russia were together working on nuclear energy and contributing towards solving the issue of global warming. Reasserting India's stand against terrorism, Modi further said that the time calls for all forces of humanity to unite.
Modi also stressed upon the deep ties that the two countries shared and noted how Indo-Russian ties went beyond trade and political relations. “This is friendship, it is not merely about give and take,” he said. Modi also recounted how Russia always stood by India in times of need. “When Russia stood by us, our soldiers won the day,” he said.
Modi was earlier welcomed with a cultural programme which included the rendering of Vedic mantras by Russian performers. “So many people here have not been to India yet they have a lot of affection towards India. We are very proud that several people in Russia have so much warmth towards India,” Modi said as he congratulated the performers at the event.
“I am grateful to the Russian government for their hospitality. And also to you for the demonstration of Indian culture and traditions,” PM Modi said concluding his speech.
