In an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on June 20, 2023, PM Narendra Modi, who is on a state visit to the US, said that the world understands India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict and knows that peace is a top priority for the country.
He also questioned the criticism India received from the US for not taking a firm stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He replied, “I do not think this type of perception is widespread in America.”
“I do not think that India’s position is well known in the entire world. The World has full confidence that India’s topmost priority is peace,” he added. India has steered clear of condemning its most reliable, trusted partner and instead increased its trade with the Russian Federation to record levels.
PM Modi told the journal that “some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace.” “All countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries.” He made it clear that the disputes must be solved through diplomacy and dialogue and not with war,” he said.
India deserves a much higher, deeper and wider profile and a larger role, Modi said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal ahead of his first state visit to the United States of America (USA).
Exuding confidence in the India-US Partnership, Modi said that “there is an unprecedented trust between the leaders of the two countries. Adding further, he said the growing cooperation between the two countries is an important pillar of partnership which extends to trade, technology and energy.
PM Narendra Modi also expressed that he not only tolerates and celebrates its diversity. “For thousand years, India has been a land where the people from all faiths and beliefs have found freedom to co-exist peacefully and prosper,” he said. “You will find people of every faith living in harmony in India.”
In an interaction with the newspaper, Modi also called for changes in global institutions like the United Nations to equip them for an increasingly “multipolar world order” and make them representatives of the world’s less affluent countries, the Third and Second World nations.
“We have a core belief in respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, observing the rule of law and peaceful resolutions of differences and disputes. At the same time, India is fully prepared and committed to protect its sovereignty and dignity.”
“I am the first prime minister to be born in a free-India, and that is why my thought process, conduct and what I say and do is inspired by my county’s attributes and traditions. I derive my strength from it. I present my country to the world as my country is and myself as I am.” Modi said in the interview.
“We do not see India supplanting any country. We see this process as India gains a rightful position in the world. The world is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. To create resilience, there should be more diversification in supply chains,” he said.
For normal bilateral ties with China, peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential We have a core belief in respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we observe the rule of law and peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes.
On June 20, 2023, PM Narendra Modi emplaned on his visit to the United States of America for his first state historic state visit. PM Modi was invited by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The visit will commence in New York, where the Prime Minister will lead the celebrations of International Yoga Day at the UN Headquarters on June 21, 2023.
