External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said that the Modi Government has moved with “rarely seen” speed and resolve to rebuild India’s partnerships across the world, setting new milestones.
Making a suo motu statement in the lok Sabha, she said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign visits have advanced the pursuit of a secure and stable environment that India needs to accomplish its development goals.
“In the past six months, we have moved with speed and resolve, rarely seen in Indian external engagement, to rebuild our partnerships across the world,” she said. The Government has “set new milestones and reached new frontiers in India’s foreign policy. The global response has been just as unparalleled,” the External Affairs Minister said.
Giving an overview of the recent developments in India’s foreign policy, she said, “In the last few months, the Prime Minister has laid out a clear vision of India’s role and place in the world; signalled willingness to assume leadership expected from the world’s largest democracy; and demonstrated ability to turn commitments into action and convert opportunities into outcomes.”
Swaraj said the Modi Government has revived important relationships that have “long suffered from neglect” and “we have shown our will to speak clearly on our security interests and defend them robustly. Our pursuit of global aspirations has been accompanied by global engagement.”
She noted that during the past few months, Modi had met around 45 international leaders from every continent. “Prime Minister has consistently advocated a proactive and innovative approach to foreign policy that is aligned with our Government’s primary goal of accelerating national economic development.
“India needs access to capital, technology, resources, energy, markets and skills; a secure environment, a peaceful neighbourhood and a stable world; and an open and stable global trading system,” the External Affairs Minister said.