Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that every attempt to foster peace with Pakistan was met with hostility and betrayal and hoped that wisdom would prevail on the leadership in Islamabad to improve bilateral ties.
In an interaction with US-based popular podcaster and computer scientist Lex Fridman, Mr Modi recalled that he had specially invited his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony in 2014 with the hope that the two countries could turn a new leaf.
The prime minister called out Pakistan’s long-standing role in fostering terrorism, emphasising that the world is no longer in doubt about where the roots of terror lie.
Mr Modi said that time and again, Pakistan has emerged as the epicentre of terror, causing immense suffering not just to India but to the entire world.
Prime Minister stressed that India is not neutral but firmly committed to peace. He emphasised that the world listens whenever India speaks of peace because it is the land of Gautam Budhha and Mahatma Gandhi.
Mr Modi said Indians espouse harmony and stand for peace. Replying to a question on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Mr Modi stressed that resolution to the conflict will come only when both nations come to the negotiating table.
He said Ukraine may hold countless discussions with their allies but it will bear no fruit unless both parties are included in the discussions. He also added that the current situation provides an opportunity for meaningful and productive talks between Russia and Ukraine.
On India-China relations, Mr Modi said both nations have ancient cultures and civilisations and the relationship between the two countries is not new. He pointed out that together, India and China have contributed to the global good in some way.
He added that there is no real history of conflict between India and China in earlier centuries. He opined that strong relations between India and China should continue in the future. Prime Minister Modi noted that differences do exists between neighbouring countries and occasional disagreements are bound to happen.
He said the focus is to ensure that difference do not turn to disputes. He underlined that a stable and cooperative relationship can only be built if the focus is on dialogue and not discord.
On US President Donald Trump calling him a tough negotiator, Mr Modi stated that it is President Trump’s magnanimity to call him a tough negotiator and appreciating him on various platforms.
He pointed out that for Mr Trump, it is America first, and for him, it is always Bharat first. Prime Minister said that he stands firm with India’s interest on top on all platforms, without intending any harm to others.
Prime Minister Modi said that he came to politics only to serve the people and he never bothered about power. In the podcast, Mr Modi said rather than seeking power, he is focused on productivity. The Prime Minister elaborated that trust is the cornerstone of his governance model.
He said his governance is rooted in the people and not the polls. He highlighted that his government is committed to the well being of Indian citizens and greater good of the nation. He also expressed pride at belonging to one of the largest political parties of the world.
Mr Modi stated that there were 980 million registered voters for the 2024 General elections, which is twice the entire population of North America. He highlighted that over one million polling booths were set up for conducting the polls. He informed that there are 2500 political parties in India and more than 900 round the clock news channels.
Mr Modi emphasised that all of these play a role in upholding democracy in their own way. He also added that India’s Election Commission has set a global benchmark for conducting free and fair elections.
On Artificial Intelligence, Mr Modi emphasized that no matter how much the world advances in AI, it remains incomplete without India. He highlighted that AI is fundamentally about collaboration, and India is making a significant contribution to its development. He added that India is not only contributing to AI innovation but also creating AI tools tailored to specific use cases.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that exams should not be seen as the ultimate test of a student’s potential. Mr Modi pointed out that through Pariksha Pe Charcha, he has had the privilege of directly interacting with students, listening to their concerns, and understanding their perspectives on education. He advised the students not to undermine their learning abilities.
Prime Minister also highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s ability to transform India’s freedom struggle into a Jan Andolan by recognizing the power of Jan Shakti. He shared that in his own approach, he always strives to involve as many people as possible in every initiative, turning it into a mass movement with Jan Bhagidari.
