Headlines
India a land of peace, asking for UNSC seat as its right: Modi
Paris, April 12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
made a strong pitch for India to be given a seat in the UN Security
Council, saying that India, the land of the Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi - a
land of peace - is asking for its rights to be given a permanent seat
in the UN Security Council.
Addressing an enthusiastic civic
reception by the Indian community on Saturday evening, Modi also reached
out to the diaspora, including to those living in the French
territories of Guadeloupe, Reunion Islands and St Martin.
"India
is a country that is for peace, and helps bring peace to the world, and
yet we are struggling to get a seat in the UNSC," he said, to loud
cheers from the packed audience at the Carrousel du Louvre here.
Modi
said that this is the centenary year of World War I, and India gave 14
lakh jawans to fight in a war that was not its, and lost 75,000 men. He
said 11 of them won the Victoria Cross for their valour.
"I
went to get blessings from them," he said, referring to his visit to the
Neuve Chapelle earlier in the day to pay tribute to the thousands of
Indians who were killed in the WWI.
"I want to give the message
to world, that they should view India differently; that this is a
country that gives sacrifice not just for itself but for others," he
said.
He said India is the largest contributor to the UN
peacekeeping force and the Indian soldiers are known for their
discipline, valour, intelligence.
"I appeal to the world, that
in the year that the world is observing the centenary of WWI, it is the
time to give the haq (right) to the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Buddha.
The time is over when India would ask for a favour; today India is asking for its rights," he said to loud cheers.
Addressing
the Indian diaspora in the French territories, Modi said: "I am so far
away, I give my salute to all of you. I know you feel pride in being
Indian."He said his speech was being simultaneously translated into
French for the benefit of those living in French territories of
Guadeloupe, Reunion Islands and St. Martin.
He said though the
colour of their passports would have changed over the many decades they
have been living outside India, "but the colour of our blood cannot
change in all these years".
"Bharat thinks about you, not from
the colour of the passport but our DNA," he said, reinforcing the close
links with their country of origin. He said the government had launched
a special session at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas diaspora conclave to
understand the problems of the Francophone countries.
Modi said the government will help the diaspora to reconnect with their roots. "We should maintain the connection."
Referring
to formation of the BJP government last May, he said that his
government will live up to the promises that it has made to the people.
He also said :"I can say with experience, that there is no reason for India to remain poor."
Referring
to the close friendship with France, Modi said that both France and
India feel for each other whenever there is a terror attack on the
other. "There is close relationship between us."
Referring to the
Make in India initiative, Modi said that in the two days that he has
been in France "I would have said Make in India about 10 times, but
every leader here said it 25 times; even President Hollande. The meaning
is that our message has reached the proper target."
He said
France can participate in the railway sector in India in a major way by
way of upgradation, modernization, expansion, with its technology and
expertise.
He referred to the good reviews about India's economic
growth, by the World Bank, IMF, and "Moody, not Modi", he said evoking
laughter.
"All financial parameters say that India's economy is to grow the fastest".
"The opportunity is there in India, we are striving to create the opportunity, and telling the world," he said.
Referring
to the youthful demography of India, Modi said that the government is
trying to inculcate skills in the youth so that they can comprise the
workforce for the world.