Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful message on Wednesday, emphasizing India’s historical contribution to global peace and prosperity, symbolized by ‘Buddha,’ rather than conflict or war, referred to as ‘Yuddha.’ Addressing the Indian diaspora in Vienna during his two-day visit to Austria, Modi articulated India’s enduring legacy of promoting peace and how it positions the nation to play a significant role in the 21st century.
“For thousands of years, we have been sharing our knowledge and expertise. We didn’t give ‘Yuddha’ (war), we gave the world ‘Buddha’. India always gave peace and prosperity, and therefore India is going to strengthen its role in the 21st century,” stated PM Modi, underscoring the deep-rooted values of peace and harmony that India has shared with the world.
Modi’s visit to Austria is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 41 years, coinciding with the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Austria. Reflecting on this significant milestone, Modi remarked, “This long wait has come to an end on a historic occasion. India and Austria are celebrating 75 years of their friendship,” describing his visit as “meaningful.”
Highlighting the strong democratic connections between the two nations, the Prime Minister noted, “Geographically, India and Austria are located on two different ends. But there are a lot of similarities between us – democracy connects our two countries. Liberty, equality, pluralism, and respect for the rule of law are our shared values. Our two societies are multicultural and multilingual. Both countries have the habit of celebrating diversity.”
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In his address, PM Modi also reflected on the recent general elections in India, which saw an impressive participation of 650 million voters. “In the recent election, 650 million people voted and results were declared within hours. It is the power of our electoral democracy,” he said, praising the robust and efficient electoral machinery of India, which managed the largest democratic exercise smoothly.
The Indian community in Austria, numbering over 31,000, including more than 450 students, gave PM Modi a warm welcome with chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. This enthusiastic reception highlighted the strong bond between the Indian diaspora and their homeland.
Emphasizing India’s strides towards innovation and development, PM Modi pointed out, “India is the world’s third biggest startup hub,” showcasing the country’s significant progress in the realm of technology and entrepreneurship.
Looking ahead, Modi shared his vision for India’s future, stating, “India will celebrate 100 years of its independence in 2047 as a developed nation.” This forward-looking statement reflects the Prime Minister’s optimism and commitment to India’s growth and development on the global stage.