‘India-Middle East-Europe corridor akin to silk route’
Prime Minister lauds positive, proactive role of Gulf countries, support rendered by US, Europe
Replying to a query on the “classic handshake” between US President and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, PM Modi said he has friendship with both the leaders. “We have worked on the IMEC, which is going to be a big game changer like the Silk Route was a game changer. There was a positive and proactive role of the Gulf countries. India got an opportunity to play a good role. The US and Europe were with us. And everyone thought that there would be a concrete, positive outcome. So we used to meet on that,” he said.
“So there was an opportunity to get the Saudi King and President Biden together, and I have a good friendship with both,” he added. India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union had signed the Memorandum of Understanding to establish the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor during the New Delhi G20 Summit held in September last year.
The G20 Summit led to the consolidation of a comprehensive framework with the objective of fostering enhanced collaboration among the G20 nations, the European Union, and the African Union, which was formally inducted into the bloc at the New Delhi summit. India's G20 Presidency had achieved an early breakthrough on the first day as G20 members agreed to a joint statement in which there was consensus on “Ukraine paragraphs” with shift in position by some countries. The New Delhi Declaration was adopted unanimously.
Prime Minister Modi also talked about his government's efforts to forge better ties with neighbours and said the neighbours are the happiest. He said the government has given priority to “Neighbourhood First” and Act East policies.
He said India had helped all its neighbours during Covid19 and was the first responder during earthquake in Nepal.
“There was a huge crisis in Sri Lanka. During that crisis, we have done the most work to get them out of trouble. They recognise it, they say it. And that is why, I am experiencing another thing, they expect a lot from us and in a positive way. And India has also said that we want to see our neighbouring countries strong and prosperous,” he added.
Replying to a query on Pakistan and ties with a some other neighbouring countries, PM Modi pointed to compulsions of their internal politics. “In this their internal politics is important. More than the relations between India and those countries, some things are important for their internal politics,” he said. Stating that the regional aspirations should be given maximum attention, PM said that he would never want a state to face obstacles in its path to progress, and will instead look forward to help the State achieve its target.
He also stressed that, along with cooperation, healthy competition should also exist between the States to take the country forward.
REGIONAL ASPIRATIONS
In an exclusive interview to ANI, PM Modi said, “Regional aspirations should be given the maximum attention. This is the philosophy of my party. If you reject the regional aspirations, you can't fulfil the dream of 'Viksit Bharat'.”
“Secondly, when I was in Gujarat, even then I had a mantra. The government here (Centre) was of UPA. Even then I had a mantra, for the development of India, Gujarat should be developed. I will develop Gujarat. Why? Because I want to develop my country. There should be such an environment in our country,” he further added.
PM Modi recalled the cooperation between the Centre and the States during the Covid pandemic.
CRUCIAL ROLE
He also acknowledged that along with Central government, the States also played a major role in India's success in the fight against the pandemic.
“If we look at Corona. I held so many meetings with the Chief Ministers, around 2025 times, and we used to make joint decisions on everything. We moved together so we were able to win the war against Corona. And I say this publicly, that in India's success in the fight against Corona, the contribution of States is no less. I recognise this,” the Prime Minister said.
He further stressed that for taking the country forward, it is important that a cooperativecompetitive federalism exists.
“That is why I have always said that we have to take the country forward. then we need competitive, cooperative federalism. We should have a competition, a healthy competition for development," he added.
PM also spoke about the idea of aspirational districts and said that all States are working together which is resulting in good results.
The programme aims to improve governance at the block level in order to enhance the quality of life of citizens. Aspirational Blocks Programme focuses on improving governance to enhance the quality of life of citizens in the most difficult and relatively underdeveloped blocks of India. It is being implemented in 500 Aspirational Blocks across 329 districts in the country.