Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday was seen hard-selling the idea of India as he addressed the plenary session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Focusing on the demographic advantage that India has over other countries, Modi said the three Ds of democracy, demography and dynamism are giving shape to Indian dreams of development. "In India, democracy, demography and dynamism are giving shape to development and destiny," said Modi.
The prime minister also emphasised on tackling the evil of terrorism, and raised concerns about the discourse even changing to the difference between good and bad terrorism. "Terrorism is a big threat but an even bigger threat is when you give definitions like good terrorism and bad terrorism," said Modi at Davos addressing the plenary session of the World Economic Forum.
Commenting on this year's WEF theme of 'Creating a shared future in a fractured world', the prime minister said the "world is facing challenges in maintaining peace, stability and security". Modi said, "This Summit seems to find solutions to the various problems the world faces. New powers are changing the balance between economic and political strength. This is indicating a change in future of the world... Issues of peace, security and stability have emerged as serious global challenges," he added.
Modi recalled that the last time an Indian PM visited Davos was in 1997, during Deve Gowda's tenure. "That time our GDP was little more than 400 billion dollars, now its more than six times," he noted.
The tech-savvy prime minister also emphasised on the changing phases of technology in the current era. "Technology assuming immense importance in this era; deeply influencing the way we behave, politics and various aspects of our life."
Mukesh Ambani and Shahrukh Khan were in the audience as PM Modi addressed the plenary session.
He also emphasised on the need to adopt measures to mitigate climate change. "Let us think about what we can do to mitigate climate change. Climate change is huge threat right now, snow in the Arctic is melting, many islands are sinking or are about to sink," he said.
The following are the excerpts from Modi's speech:
In 2014 after 30 years, the 600 crore Indians provided complete majority to any political party to form govt at the centre. We took the resolution for the development of everyone and not just a specific group. Our motto is 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'.
Change in India's ranking is an indicator that the people in India have warmly welcomed the change in policies as the road to a better future for them.
Many societies and countries are becoming self-centred. It seems that gloabalisation, as opposed to its definition, is shrinking. Such misplaced preferences can't be considered any lesser threat than terrorism or climate change. We must admit shine of globalisation is fading.
(With inputs from agencies)
