# Putting India First : Be it foreign policy or national security, PM Narendra Modi always believes in putting India first. Not only has India’s global standing vastly improved in the last 5 years, but our national security has also charted a firm, new trajectory : March 27, 2019 : PMINDIA
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India’s size, demographic dividend, a burgeoning market and strength of her democracy have been instrumental in charting her rise not only as a regional power but a global influencer. Building upon India’s strengths in a multipolar, multilateral world order, the Modi doctrine is emerging based on cooperation, cultural ethos, and trade at its helm.
PM Narendra Modi has been at the forefront of overhauling India’s outreach to the world. Till March 2019, he had made visits to 41 countries, some even multiple times, sealing ties of friendship across the world, sometimes even with countries that have been each other’s rivals. Taking a departure from the past, there is fresh thinking and vigour in how India engages with the world. With the motto of ‘Nation First’, pragmatic realism has become the real driver in diplomacy. In the grand scheme of things- economic growth, global leadership and securing borders are defining the course of India’s engagement with the world.
Israel, an all-weather friend, remained out of the Indian bilateral outreach. However, in 2017, PM Modi unshackled India’s diplomatic relations with Israel from narrow political considerations and became the first ever Indian Prime Minister to visit the country. The two countries have retierated their concern on global terrorism. India’s defence modernisation programme and agriculture sector have been strengthened due to her deepening cooperation with Israel.
However, India’s closeness to Israel has not had any bearing on other nations from West Asia, where PM Narendra Modi’s bilateral visits have made an equal mark in taking forward India’s economic interests, among other areas.
There is a significant size of India diaspora residing in West Asian countries. Their safety and interests are of paramount importance. They also send billions worth overseas remittances, helping make India the top recipient of remittances in the world. PM Narendra Modi’s engagement with the leaders of the region are greatly focussed on well-being of Indian citizens living and working there.
PM Modi made visits to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar. He became the first prime minister in 34 years to visit UAE. Since then a number of high-level engagements have ensured that the relations between the two nations are fostered through strategic , economic and security partnership. People to people interactions between India and UAE were always strong. However, with the leadership of the both the countires coming more decisively together has led to more opportunities in the sphere of commerce and intelligence sharing.
India’s growing economic stature, coming on the back of various structural reforms, booming capital and improved ranking in ease of doing business has made her an an attractive investment hub. In the recent visit of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, announced a slew of infrastructure and trade agreements to the tune of $100 billion while also reaffirming his country’s support in fighting terrorism and extremism. He also announced release of 850 Indian prisoners languishing in Saudi jails.
With Iran as well, India has enhanced strategic cooperation with development of Chabahar port. It would be the first time that India will be operating a port outside its territories. The port would allow India to bypass Pakistan and conduct trade with Iran and Afghanistan seamlessly.
If forging new relationships is a priority for the Modi government, then renewing old ties is also on the top of the list. There is new perspective and approach involved in moulding India’s ties with her old friends.
India in partnership with U.S., Japan and Australia has resurrected Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to secure her interests in the martitime zone and solidify military prowess through joint naval exercises.
The two biggest democracies in the world, India and U.S. have much in common. Further, bolstering relations, the two nations signed the bilateral Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement to facilitate logistical support, supplies and services between the US and Indian militaries. In 2018, the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) was signed to faciliate Indian access to advanced defence systems.
With Japan, PM Modi has infused a new sense of direction. From the realm of technology exchange to infrastructural development, Indian economy is one of the preferred investment destinations for Japanese companies. Northeast India’s connectivity infrastructure has received immense impetus with Japan extending financial cooperation towards the development of the region. The Japanese state of the art high-speed rail technology is strengthening India’s ambitious bullet train project.
Major global powers have supported India’s tough action on terror and have come together to defend India’s right to secure its borders. In both the instances of surgical strike and air strikes, where India defined a new normal in the fight against terrorism, other countries stood with India’s efforts to protect her citizens.
In the past five years, Indian diplomacy, led by the Modi doctrine has undone years of inertia and reluctance, and taken India to its rightful position in global high tables. It has done away with the baggage of the past when it comes to renewing old relations or forging new friendships. India is not hesitant to assert herself and is also successful in rallying support of other major global players.
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The Modi government has undertaken some unprecedented measures with a view to not just ‘add teeth’ to the firepower of our forces but also to make our country more safe and secure.
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It was a momentous occasion when on the banks of river Thames, during his visit to U.K., Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue of the highly revered saint, Bhagwan Basaveshwara, in 2015. The icon from India's rich tradition of social reform movements, Bhagwan Basaveshwara from Karnataka has been hailed by PM Modi for his efforts to uphold the values of democracy, social consciousness and women empowerment as long back as the 12th century, much before the rest of the world.
was a clear departure from the past, wherein members of only one family were given prominence while other national icons were sidelined and systematically pushed out of national consciousness.
Since his coming to power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undone the years of neglect and brought the legacy of our legends to the forefront. This is line with the government’s motto of keeping ‘India First’ over any party, ideology or family. The Modi government has ensured institutional support to the cause so that it does not get overturned with the change in government.
It was a clear departure from the past, wherein members of only one family were given prominence while other national icons were sidelined and systematically pushed out of national consciousness.
Since his coming to power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undone the years of neglect and brought the legacy of our legends to the forefront. This is line with the government’s motto of keeping ‘India First’ over any party, ideology or family. The Modi government has ensured institutional support to the cause so that it does not get overturned with the change in government.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was one of the builders of Modern India. His contribution to India’s political thought has been unparalleled. However, he was not given his due with his legacy being completely abandoned by successive Congress governments. Correcting the historical wrongs, the Modi government took the historic decision of developing places of historical importance that were closely related to Dr. Ambedkar’s life as ‘Pancha Teerthas’:
• His birthplace in Mhow
• Place in London where he stayed while studying in the UK
• Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur
• Mahaparinirvan Sthal in Delhi
• Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai
This was the first of the many steps taken to create institutions fully dedicated to keep the legacy of Babasaheb alive for generations to come. In April 2018,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Dr Ambedkar National Memorial at Delhi’s Mahaparinirvan Sthal spread over nearly 2 acres. On November 19, 2015, the government declared 26th November as the ‘Constitution Day’, in the honour of Dr Ambedkar.
The Modi Government also fulfilled the long pending demand of Netaji’s family, by declassifying most of the confidential files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. During his September 2014 visit to Japan, PM Modi met Saichiro Misumi, Netaji’s oldest living associate in Japan.
As a glowing tribute to the legend who integrated India, PM Modi unveiled the ‘Statue of Unity’ as nation’s tribute to the ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. The 600 feet tall sculpture is the tallest statue in the world. The foundation for this statue was laid in 2013 when Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was the first Home Minister of India. However, he was continuously relegated to the lost pages of history by Congress. He is finally being given his due recognition for his unparalleled contribution to our motherland.
The man who was renowned for his bravery and his spirited fight against the British, Veer Savarkar was treated as a pariah by the successive Congress governments. It was a great injustice to the memory of the giant. He spent his youth serving the harshest punishment in a small cell in the Cellular Jail, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the freedom fighter by visiting the cell where Veer Savarkar was lodged and spent some time inside remembering the sacrifices of the great soul.
Similarly, PM Modi has revived the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Birsa Munda, Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram and many other such legends all across the country. A new narrative has been set by the Modi government by honouring the memories of Indian heroes and freeing their legacy from the narrow political considerations. These legends lived, fought and died for the nation. Their legacy is the very essence of Indian thought process and so any injustice to their memories in an injustice to the very soul of the nation.
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In 2014, when Narendra Modi was elected as the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy, the world watched in expectation as to how his foreign policy would be. He has brought a new vigour to India’s foreign policy, strengthening and renewing ties with old friends, while also making new friends across the globe.
For example, he has strengthened India’s ties with Israel, France, United Kingdom, Japan, United States of America, and South Korea, and also initiated and built relationships in West Asia (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel) and with New Zealand and Australia.
In light of the dynamic equations that countries share, it becomes important for nations to not only choose their friends with care, but also sustainrelationships in view of events that have a butterfly effect across the globe. PM Narendra Modi has struck the fine balance of continuing relations as well as cultivating fresh ties, which will prove strategically significant in the medium and long-term. The 21st century will be characterized by the proactive, ambitious and innovative diplomacy with the underlying theme of ‘India First’.
India’s agile diplomacy is marked with the policy of ‘Acting East’ and ‘Looking West’.
It was a new beginning when PM Narendra Modi was conferred Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honor, Sash of King Abdulaziz Sash. When the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited India, he increased the quota for Indian Haj pilgrims to 2 lakh and agreed to release 850 prisoners lodged in Saudi jails.
When the Prime Minister visited Doha, Qatar in 2016, he pushed for economic ties in the hydrocarbon sector. Moreover, while he shared a meal with those working in Doha and addressed the NRIs at an event, he invigorated the diaspora with new lease of energy, assuring them India was there to care for them and their concerns.
India consented to the Ashgabat Agreement which is concerned with transit and transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. This has helped India diversify its connectivity within the region.
PM Narendra Modi visited Australia for G20 Leaders' Summit at Brisbane in November 2014, followed by bilateral visit. When Prime Minister Turnbull visited India during April 2017, initiatives related to defence and strategic partnerships in the field of energy and education were discussed along with MoUs on cooperation in combating international terrorism and transnational organized crime. In January 2018, India became a part of Australia Group, an export control regime that aims to prevent proliferation of biological and chemical weapons.
Prime Minister of New ZealandJohn Key visited India in October 2016.India’s support for New Zealand’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council was appreciated by him. Apart fromthe announcement on amendments to the bilateral Double Taxation Agreement, India and New Zealand agreed upon increased cooperation in defence and security.
India signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with The United States of America. At the 2+2 meet, India and the US signed the Communications, Compatibility Security Agreement (COMCASA). It enhancesIndia’s defence capability and preparedness.
PM Narendra Modi’s equation with the Russian President Vladimir Putin is of geo-strategic importance.India will soon begin inducting the first squadron of the advanced S-400 Triumf surface to air missile systems from Russia.
Relations with Palestine remained warm. PM Narendra Modi was conferred ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine' after his visit to Palestine.
After the cowardly terrorist attack in Pulwama and the subsequent air strikes by India, all major global leaders stood in solidarity with India. This was an evidence of the strength of India’s diplomatic initiative and the impact of PM Narendra Modi’s personal efforts to strengthen relations with the world. Time and again, he has gone out of his way to ensure India’s strategic interests with global peers are preserved. India’s soft power coupled with strong relationships across economic, defence and strategic domains has helped the country emerge as aforce to reckon with.
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Following the path of ‘India First’, the government led by PM Narendra Modi has ensured that the collective will of the 1.30 billion Indians drives the global mandate for the betterment of humanity. The government has revamped India’s foreign doctrine, making it more proactive in taking leadership role as well as assertive when it comes to securing national interests.
The government led by PM Modi has been actively engaging with the world leaders on the threat of climate change. India is leading the world on this front. It has been able to set the narrative of climate justice with its impressive role in the Paris accord.
Foreseeing a solar future, India has brought together more than 100 sunshine nations to harness solar energy and fuel their developmental needs without harming the planet. The International Solar Alliance, launched in 2015 during the Paris Climate Summit has brought innovation and cooperation at the heart of tackling climate change.
In another instance, of India’s soft power showing the way towards a better planet,Yoga has come to the centre stage of global recognition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said:
“When we talk of global peace, there should be peace among nations. That is possible only when there is peace within the society. Only peaceful families can constitute peaceful society. Only peaceful individuals can make peaceful families. Yoga is the way to create such a harmony and peace within individuals, family, society, nation and ultimately all over the world.”
The ancient system has once again caught world’s attention when 21st June was declared as International Yoga Day. The resolution proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UN. was backed by 173 nations, an unprecedented level of support in the history of UN. It has also been inscribed in the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.World over, people are making Yoga a daily practice for its innumerable health and spiritual benefits. With a consistent institutional support, Yoga has gone global.
Another emerging area, where India is firmly creating a technological niche, is its space programme. With a team of world-class scientists and engineers, it has become a pioneer in space industry. ISRO has set a world record by successfully launching 104 satellites in one go. India’s indigenous global navigation system has been set in place with the successful launch of IRNSS-1G. With this, India has joined the elite list of countries with their own satellite navigation system.
India’s increasing economic clout is supplemented with improvement in her relations
with other nations. It is the result of the government’s diplomatic endeavours that, for the first time, India has secured membership of not one, not two, but three elite groups that include the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australia Group (AG). India’s entry into these exclusive non-proliferation groupings would ease the process of acquiring high tech items for our defence and space programmes.
The great strides made by Indians in various fields is helping build a better future for all. With a robust economy, assertive nation-first diplomacy, brave defence forces and a growing soft power, India is being seen by the world with a renewed hope. Acknowledging PM Modi’s visionary role in spearheading this change, he has been honoured with prestigious laurels including the Seoul Peace Prize and UN’s Champion of the Earth Award. It is a recognition of the strong efforts being made by India in fostering peace and harmony throughout the world as well as creating stories of success that can be replicated in the other parts of the world for the welfare of the humanity.
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JAY HIND
JAY BHARATHAM
VANDHE MATHARAM
BHARAT MATHA KI JAY.
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#OPINION : 28/11/2019 : 1972.
# Putting India First : Be it foreign policy or national security, PM Narendra Modi always believes in putting India first. Not only has India’s global standing vastly improved in the last 5 years, but our national security has also charted a firm, new trajectory : March 27, 2019 : PMINDIA
=======================================================================1. #PM Modi’s Impossible Trek in the Global Sphere :
India’s size, demographic dividend, a burgeoning market and strength of her democracy have been instrumental in charting her rise not only as a regional power but a global influencer. Building upon India’s strengths in a multipolar, multilateral world order, the Modi doctrine is emerging based on cooperation, cultural ethos, and trade at its helm.
PM Narendra Modi has been at the forefront of overhauling India’s outreach to the world. Till March 2019, he had made visits to 41 countries, some even multiple times, sealing ties of friendship across the world, sometimes even with countries that have been each other’s rivals. Taking a departure from the past, there is fresh thinking and vigour in how India engages with the world. With the motto of ‘Nation First’, pragmatic realism has become the real driver in diplomacy. In the grand scheme of things- economic growth, global leadership and securing borders are defining the course of India’s engagement with the world.
Israel, an all-weather friend, remained out of the Indian bilateral outreach. However, in 2017, PM Modi unshackled India’s diplomatic relations with Israel from narrow political considerations and became the first ever Indian Prime Minister to visit the country. The two countries have retierated their concern on global terrorism. India’s defence modernisation programme and agriculture sector have been strengthened due to her deepening cooperation with Israel.
However, India’s closeness to Israel has not had any bearing on other nations from West Asia, where PM Narendra Modi’s bilateral visits have made an equal mark in taking forward India’s economic interests, among other areas.
There is a significant size of India diaspora residing in West Asian countries. Their safety and interests are of paramount importance. They also send billions worth overseas remittances, helping make India the top recipient of remittances in the world. PM Narendra Modi’s engagement with the leaders of the region are greatly focussed on well-being of Indian citizens living and working there.
PM Modi made visits to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar. He became the first prime minister in 34 years to visit UAE. Since then a number of high-level engagements have ensured that the relations between the two nations are fostered through strategic , economic and security partnership. People to people interactions between India and UAE were always strong. However, with the leadership of the both the countires coming more decisively together has led to more opportunities in the sphere of commerce and intelligence sharing.
India’s growing economic stature, coming on the back of various structural reforms, booming capital and improved ranking in ease of doing business has made her an an attractive investment hub. In the recent visit of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, announced a slew of infrastructure and trade agreements to the tune of $100 billion while also reaffirming his country’s support in fighting terrorism and extremism. He also announced release of 850 Indian prisoners languishing in Saudi jails.
With Iran as well, India has enhanced strategic cooperation with development of Chabahar port. It would be the first time that India will be operating a port outside its territories. The port would allow India to bypass Pakistan and conduct trade with Iran and Afghanistan seamlessly.
If forging new relationships is a priority for the Modi government, then renewing old ties is also on the top of the list. There is new perspective and approach involved in moulding India’s ties with her old friends.
India in partnership with U.S., Japan and Australia has resurrected Quadrilateral Security Dialogue to secure her interests in the martitime zone and solidify military prowess through joint naval exercises.
The two biggest democracies in the world, India and U.S. have much in common. Further, bolstering relations, the two nations signed the bilateral Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement to facilitate logistical support, supplies and services between the US and Indian militaries. In 2018, the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) was signed to faciliate Indian access to advanced defence systems.
With Japan, PM Modi has infused a new sense of direction. From the realm of technology exchange to infrastructural development, Indian economy is one of the preferred investment destinations for Japanese companies. Northeast India’s connectivity infrastructure has received immense impetus with Japan extending financial cooperation towards the development of the region. The Japanese state of the art high-speed rail technology is strengthening India’s ambitious bullet train project.
Major global powers have supported India’s tough action on terror and have come together to defend India’s right to secure its borders. In both the instances of surgical strike and air strikes, where India defined a new normal in the fight against terrorism, other countries stood with India’s efforts to protect her citizens.
In the past five years, Indian diplomacy, led by the Modi doctrine has undone years of inertia and reluctance, and taken India to its rightful position in global high tables. It has done away with the baggage of the past when it comes to renewing old relations or forging new friendships. India is not hesitant to assert herself and is also successful in rallying support of other major global players.
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2. #Strengthening the Indian Armed Forces :
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The Modi government has undertaken some unprecedented measures with a view to not just ‘add teeth’ to the firepower of our forces but also to make our country more safe and secure.
#Higher allocation to defence :
For the first time ever, the defence budget is set to cross Rs. 3,00,000 crores in 2019-20 signifying government’s solid commitment to our forces.#Overhauling of administration :
In order to prepare a more integrated planning and response strategy, the constitution of the overarching Defence Planning Committee (DPC) under the National Security Adviser as a cross-governmental body, has been done to strengthen India’s ability to work on and evolve long-term strategies.As is the trend worldwide, in order to make a more lean and mean.#Restructuring of the armed forces :
fighting force, the government has endeavoured to restructure the armed forces. Involving redeployment and restructuring of approximately 57,000 posts of officers and others, the aim is to improve the “teeth to tail” ratio of the Indian Army.#Towards Defence Technological Sovereignty :
As defence technologies continue to evolve and upgrade by the day, the government has done some serious reworking on the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). Apart from forming Make in India as an integral component of defence procurement, the liberalisation of FDI norms allowing composite foreign investment up to 49 % under automatic route and through FIPB route beyond 49% further prepares our forces for a more self-dependent future in terms of defence technologies.#Defence Corridors: Impetus to Domestic Manufacturing :
The decision to set up two Defence Production Corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Tamil Nadu would also go a long way in making India self-reliant in defence production through ‘Make in India’ initiatives.#Modernisation of Ordnance Factories :
A big push has also been given to the existing ordnance factories in the country apart from issuing licences to many more Indian players in the market again giving a fillip to the domestic defence manufacturing sector.#Nuclear Triad :
With successful deployment of Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine (SSBN) INS Arihant, India has completed its nuclear triad allowing the armed forces to launch necessary second-strike capabilities from all platforms (land, air and water) even as it remains committed to the doctrine of credible minimum deterrence and no first use.========================================================================
3. #Honouring India’s Greats :
It was a momentous occasion when on the banks of river Thames, during his visit to U.K., Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue of the highly revered saint, Bhagwan Basaveshwara, in 2015. The icon from India's rich tradition of social reform movements, Bhagwan Basaveshwara from Karnataka has been hailed by PM Modi for his efforts to uphold the values of democracy, social consciousness and women empowerment as long back as the 12th century, much before the rest of the world.
was a clear departure from the past, wherein members of only one family were given prominence while other national icons were sidelined and systematically pushed out of national consciousness.
Since his coming to power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undone the years of neglect and brought the legacy of our legends to the forefront. This is line with the government’s motto of keeping ‘India First’ over any party, ideology or family. The Modi government has ensured institutional support to the cause so that it does not get overturned with the change in government.
#Honouring India’s Greats :
It was a momentous occasion when on the banks of river Thames, during his visit to U.K., Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue of the highly revered saint, Bhagwan Basaveshwara, in 2015. The icon from India's rich tradition of social reform movements, Bhagwan Basaveshwara from Karnataka has been hailed by PM Modi for his efforts to uphold the values of democracy, social consciousness and women empowerment as long back as the 12th century, much before the rest of the world.It was a clear departure from the past, wherein members of only one family were given prominence while other national icons were sidelined and systematically pushed out of national consciousness.
Since his coming to power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undone the years of neglect and brought the legacy of our legends to the forefront. This is line with the government’s motto of keeping ‘India First’ over any party, ideology or family. The Modi government has ensured institutional support to the cause so that it does not get overturned with the change in government.
#The Architect of Constitution of India: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar :
• His birthplace in Mhow
• Place in London where he stayed while studying in the UK
• Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur
• Mahaparinirvan Sthal in Delhi
• Chaitya Bhoomi in Mumbai
This was the first of the many steps taken to create institutions fully dedicated to keep the legacy of Babasaheb alive for generations to come. In April 2018,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Dr Ambedkar National Memorial at Delhi’s Mahaparinirvan Sthal spread over nearly 2 acres. On November 19, 2015, the government declared 26th November as the ‘Constitution Day’, in the honour of Dr Ambedkar.
#Reviving Netaji’s Legacy :
Netaji’s fiery slogans “Give me blood and I will give you freedom” is embedded in every Indian’s consciousness. In order to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the formation of ‘Azad Hind Government’ by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hoisted the tricolour at the Red Fort in Delhi. It was a moment of pride for the entire nation seeing the legacy of the great hero of India’s freedom movement finally being honoured since independence. In a first, the four members of Azad Hind Fauj took part in the Republic Day parade in 2019.The Modi Government also fulfilled the long pending demand of Netaji’s family, by declassifying most of the confidential files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. During his September 2014 visit to Japan, PM Modi met Saichiro Misumi, Netaji’s oldest living associate in Japan.
#The Man Who United India: Sardar Patel :
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was the first Home Minister of India. However, he was continuously relegated to the lost pages of history by Congress. He is finally being given his due recognition for his unparalleled contribution to our motherland.
#Veer Savarkar: The Son of the Soil :
Similarly, PM Modi has revived the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Birsa Munda, Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram and many other such legends all across the country. A new narrative has been set by the Modi government by honouring the memories of Indian heroes and freeing their legacy from the narrow political considerations. These legends lived, fought and died for the nation. Their legacy is the very essence of Indian thought process and so any injustice to their memories in an injustice to the very soul of the nation.
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4. #India is Strengthening Friendships across the Globe under PM Modi :
In 2014, when Narendra Modi was elected as the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy, the world watched in expectation as to how his foreign policy would be. He has brought a new vigour to India’s foreign policy, strengthening and renewing ties with old friends, while also making new friends across the globe.
For example, he has strengthened India’s ties with Israel, France, United Kingdom, Japan, United States of America, and South Korea, and also initiated and built relationships in West Asia (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel) and with New Zealand and Australia.
In light of the dynamic equations that countries share, it becomes important for nations to not only choose their friends with care, but also sustainrelationships in view of events that have a butterfly effect across the globe. PM Narendra Modi has struck the fine balance of continuing relations as well as cultivating fresh ties, which will prove strategically significant in the medium and long-term. The 21st century will be characterized by the proactive, ambitious and innovative diplomacy with the underlying theme of ‘India First’.
India’s agile diplomacy is marked with the policy of ‘Acting East’ and ‘Looking West’.
#Strong Ties :
India’s relationship with Iran went through a perceptible shift when the historic Chabahar Agreement was signed by the Prime Minister on his visit to Iran.It was a new beginning when PM Narendra Modi was conferred Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honor, Sash of King Abdulaziz Sash. When the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited India, he increased the quota for Indian Haj pilgrims to 2 lakh and agreed to release 850 prisoners lodged in Saudi jails.
When the Prime Minister visited Doha, Qatar in 2016, he pushed for economic ties in the hydrocarbon sector. Moreover, while he shared a meal with those working in Doha and addressed the NRIs at an event, he invigorated the diaspora with new lease of energy, assuring them India was there to care for them and their concerns.
India consented to the Ashgabat Agreement which is concerned with transit and transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. This has helped India diversify its connectivity within the region.
PM Narendra Modi visited Australia for G20 Leaders' Summit at Brisbane in November 2014, followed by bilateral visit. When Prime Minister Turnbull visited India during April 2017, initiatives related to defence and strategic partnerships in the field of energy and education were discussed along with MoUs on cooperation in combating international terrorism and transnational organized crime. In January 2018, India became a part of Australia Group, an export control regime that aims to prevent proliferation of biological and chemical weapons.
Prime Minister of New ZealandJohn Key visited India in October 2016.India’s support for New Zealand’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council was appreciated by him. Apart fromthe announcement on amendments to the bilateral Double Taxation Agreement, India and New Zealand agreed upon increased cooperation in defence and security.
#Renewed Relations :
The first ever visit of Indian prime minister to Israel brought freshvigour to the Indo-Israel relations. PM Narendra Modi’s trip to Israel was a watershed moment in India-Israel relations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited India in 2018 and signed multiple MoUs in areas of space technology, cyber security, oil and gas production among others.India signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with The United States of America. At the 2+2 meet, India and the US signed the Communications, Compatibility Security Agreement (COMCASA). It enhancesIndia’s defence capability and preparedness.
PM Narendra Modi’s equation with the Russian President Vladimir Putin is of geo-strategic importance.India will soon begin inducting the first squadron of the advanced S-400 Triumf surface to air missile systems from Russia.
Relations with Palestine remained warm. PM Narendra Modi was conferred ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine' after his visit to Palestine.
After the cowardly terrorist attack in Pulwama and the subsequent air strikes by India, all major global leaders stood in solidarity with India. This was an evidence of the strength of India’s diplomatic initiative and the impact of PM Narendra Modi’s personal efforts to strengthen relations with the world. Time and again, he has gone out of his way to ensure India’s strategic interests with global peers are preserved. India’s soft power coupled with strong relationships across economic, defence and strategic domains has helped the country emerge as aforce to reckon with.
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5. #Resurgent India Leading a New Global Narrative :
Following the path of ‘India First’, the government led by PM Narendra Modi has ensured that the collective will of the 1.30 billion Indians drives the global mandate for the betterment of humanity. The government has revamped India’s foreign doctrine, making it more proactive in taking leadership role as well as assertive when it comes to securing national interests.
#India’s resurgence on the global front, today, is setting the global narrative in various ways. India is walking on the path of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” i.e. world is a family. Our outlook to problems concerning the entire world emanates from our belief in harmony and collective participation.
The government led by PM Modi has been actively engaging with the world leaders on the threat of climate change. India is leading the world on this front. It has been able to set the narrative of climate justice with its impressive role in the Paris accord.
Foreseeing a solar future, India has brought together more than 100 sunshine nations to harness solar energy and fuel their developmental needs without harming the planet. The International Solar Alliance, launched in 2015 during the Paris Climate Summit has brought innovation and cooperation at the heart of tackling climate change.
In another instance, of India’s soft power showing the way towards a better planet,Yoga has come to the centre stage of global recognition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said:
“When we talk of global peace, there should be peace among nations. That is possible only when there is peace within the society. Only peaceful families can constitute peaceful society. Only peaceful individuals can make peaceful families. Yoga is the way to create such a harmony and peace within individuals, family, society, nation and ultimately all over the world.”
The ancient system has once again caught world’s attention when 21st June was declared as International Yoga Day. The resolution proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UN. was backed by 173 nations, an unprecedented level of support in the history of UN. It has also been inscribed in the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.World over, people are making Yoga a daily practice for its innumerable health and spiritual benefits. With a consistent institutional support, Yoga has gone global.
India is setting global agenda against black money and tax evasion with the Modi government raising the issues at the highest global forums.The government’s commitment to fight the menace of black money has led to India signing number of international treaties with Cyprus, Mauritius and Singapore to avoid round tripping of money for the purpose of tax evasion.
Another emerging area, where India is firmly creating a technological niche, is its space programme. With a team of world-class scientists and engineers, it has become a pioneer in space industry. ISRO has set a world record by successfully launching 104 satellites in one go. India’s indigenous global navigation system has been set in place with the successful launch of IRNSS-1G. With this, India has joined the elite list of countries with their own satellite navigation system.
India’s increasing economic clout is supplemented with improvement in her relations
with other nations. It is the result of the government’s diplomatic endeavours that, for the first time, India has secured membership of not one, not two, but three elite groups that include the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australia Group (AG). India’s entry into these exclusive non-proliferation groupings would ease the process of acquiring high tech items for our defence and space programmes.
The great strides made by Indians in various fields is helping build a better future for all. With a robust economy, assertive nation-first diplomacy, brave defence forces and a growing soft power, India is being seen by the world with a renewed hope. Acknowledging PM Modi’s visionary role in spearheading this change, he has been honoured with prestigious laurels including the Seoul Peace Prize and UN’s Champion of the Earth Award. It is a recognition of the strong efforts being made by India in fostering peace and harmony throughout the world as well as creating stories of success that can be replicated in the other parts of the world for the welfare of the humanity.
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JAY HIND
JAY BHARATHAM
VANDHE MATHARAM
BHARAT MATHA KI JAY.
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