National News
Will do everything possible to ensure 21st century, which is termed Asia’s century, becomes India’s century, says Modi
"India has always contributed to world peace and never harmed another country. Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest," the PM said to the Indian diaspora
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with his Japan, Vietnam and Australian counterparts on Tuesday on a range of issues, from security to trade, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, Phillippines.
Modi first held a dialogue with Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull and discussed ‘”strengthening of ties and close cooperation to optimise significant potential for further engagement across a broad range of areas”, MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
With Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Modi spoke on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam shared common goal to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries,” Kumar said.
Modi’s meeting with Turnbull and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe comes in the backdrop of the first quadrilateral conclave, which was held on Saturday. India, US, Japan and Australia gave a thumbs up for a “free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region” after the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Modi addressed the Indian diaspora and business and investment summit in the Philippines. “I thank the Indian community in the Philippines for the warmth. Interacted with the diaspora during the community programme in Manila,” the PM tweeted.
During his address, in a veiled reference to Pakistan, Modi said India had always contributed to world peace and never harmed another country. “Our contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Forces is among the biggest,” the PM said. He also spoke of the sacrifice of one lakh Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in distant lands during World Wars 1 and 2.
The PM highlighted his government’s initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana for empowering the poor. He also mentioned the gains made through Aadhaar linking of subsidy and said he was committed to making “India’s present bright and radiant”. “We should do everything possible to ensure that the 21st century, which is termed ‘Asia’s century’ becomes ‘India’s century’,” he said.
At the business and investment summit, Modi highlighted the scope for economic cooperation between India and ASEAN countries. “The reform trajectory in India makes our nation an attractive investment destination,” he tweeted.
Modi said his government’s ‘Act East policy’ would have the ASEAN region at the centre of their engagement. Aiming to make India a global manufacturing hub, Modi then went on to emphasise the steps his government had brought for an economic turnaround.
“Keeping our emphasis on ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’, about 1200 outdated laws have been repealed in the last three years. We have simplified processes to start companies and for other clearances. Digital transactions have increased significantly. We are using technology to reach out to people,” the PM said.
