Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed his 10-day visit to Myanmar, Australia and Fiji as a success in terms of reaching out to world community and global leaders. PM’s tour was packed with back-to-back meetings, including 20 bilaterals with world leaders and attending five summits.
“I noticed one thing that the world is looking at India with renewed respect and immense enthusiasm! I see a global community that is tremendously keen to engage with India. With every leader, we discussed how we could make our relations more extensive, diverse and wide-ranging. Strengthening trade and commerce and drawing industry to India was a central part of the discussion,” Modi wrote in his blog a day after his return.
PM added that the numerous leaders he met were very optimistic about ‘Make in India’ initiative and were keen to come to India to be a part of the opportunities India has to offer. According to Modi several world leaders have showed keenness on NDA Government’s plans to create ‘Next Gen Infrastructure’ and Smart Cities.
“I see this as a positive sign, one that will bring several opportunities to India’s youth and give them the right exposure that will make them shine,” PM wrote.
This was the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM in 28 years while a first in 33 years for Fiji. “On one hand, the IT and Communication revolution brought the world closer but on the other hand, we could not reach the shores of these two countries, each important in its own way, for almost three decades. I thought this must change,” Modi wrote.
Asserting that black money can destabilise world peace and harmony, Modi wrote that democratic nations have an obligation of collectively fighting this evil as it does not affect any country selectively.
“At the G-20 Summit, India placed the issue of existence and repatriation of black money at the forefront of the world community. I am glad that the world community took note of this because this is an issue that does not selectively affect one nation. The menace of black money has the potential to destabilise world peace and harmony. Black money also brings with it terrorism, money laundering and narcotics trade,”
Modi wrote.
Modi discussed affordable housing with PM Razak of Malaysia, energy issues with the Sultan of Brunei and urban development issues with PM lee Hsien loong of Singapore.
“On a personal note, the affection from the Indian community was touching. Be it in Myanmar, Australia and Fiji, I will not be able to describe their warmth in words. I could see that they were proud of India and of the changes happening in India. I could see dreams and expectations in their eyes,” Modi wrote.