Modi: There is no one big or small, strong or weak among friends

I thank you once again for the privilege you accorded to me to be amongst you and the honor that you bestowed on me. I thank you for your friendship. Thank you very much.

PM Modi

India is firmly resolved to cooperate fully in these efforts, and also to deepen its invaluable friendship with Maldives. I reiterate to you this solemn pledge today.

PM Modi

This is a time of complex transitions, full of challenges. However, challenges also bring opportunities. Today, Maldives and India have the opportunity: to set an ideal for the world of being good neighbors and friends; to usher prosperity through our cooperation so that the economic, social and political aspirations of our people are fulfilled; to work together for ensuring stability, peace and security in our region; to ensure the security of the world’s most important sea lane; to defeat terrorism; to keep the forces that nurture terrorism and extremism away from our shores; to bring about necessary changes for a healthy and clean environment. History and our people would expect us to make full use of these opportunities and not to let go of them.

PM Modi

Therefore, our development partnerships are to empower people, and not to weaken them. Nor to enhance their dependence on us. Nor indeed to impose the impossible burden of debt on the shoulders of generations yet to come.

PM Modi

The greatest man of our age, Mahatma Gandhi had said “There is no limit to extending our services to our neighbors”. India has always shared her achievements with the world and especially with her neighbors.

PM Modi

It is possible only when our mutual trust and confidence are strong not only in good times, but also during difficulties. Hon’ble Speaker, “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” is both our philosophy and policy. It means that the whole world is but one family.

PM Modi

And this trust emanates from the faith that we would be sensitive to each other’s concerns and interests. So that both of us can enjoy more prosperity and more security.

PM Modi

The foundation of a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood rests on trust, goodwill and cooperation.

PM Modi

We cannot have a more suitable partner than the Maldives in realizing this vision and for cooperating to benefit from the Blue Economy. Because we are maritime neighbors. Because we are friends. And there is no one big or small, strong or weak among friends.

PM Modi

A capable, strong and prosperous India will be a robust pillar of peace, development and security not only in South Asia and Indo-Pacific, but in the entire world.

PM Modi

We will also endeavor to develop the capacity of other countries in the region, to reach out to them in the times of disasters with humanitarian assistance, and work for shared security, prosperity and a bright future for all.

PM Modi

I would also like to reiterate that India will use its capabilities and strengths not only for her own prosperity and security.

PM Modi

This acronym stands for Security And Growth for All in the Region, which is a blueprint for us for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Today, I would like to once again stress on this principle of inclusiveness.

PM Modi

Only this will ensure continuation of rule-based order and multilateralism. Hon’ble Speaker, 4 years ago, I articulated India’s vision and commitment for the Indian Ocean region in the form S.A.G.A.R, which is a word in Hindi meaning ‘sea’.

PM Modi

In every sense, it is the key to our shared future. Therefore, I had said in June 2018 in Singapore that everyone will have to work together for ensuring openness, integration and balance in the Indo-Pacific. Only this will ensure trust among nations.

PM Modi

But it is also a region with many unanswered questions and unresolved disputes. Indo-Pacific region is an inalienable part of our existence. It has been our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity.

PM Modi

The third subject is the Indo-Pacific, which is our shared region. It is a region with 50% of the world’s population, and enormous diversity of religions, culture, languages, history and political and economic systems.

PM Modi

If we regard this planet as our mother, we can only respect and conserve it, and cannot harm it. We should also remember that this home, our earth, is the legacy we hold for our future generations in trust, and it is not a property we own.

PM Modi

It will not be possible to adequately mitigate adverse effects of climate change without bringing in changes in our values, approach, life-style and societies. The ancient Indian belief regards the Earth as our mother and all of us as her children.

PM Modi

However, everyone needs to join in so that we can reach the requisite level of collective efforts. But we will be wrong to assume that merely technological solutions can help us fight the challenge of climate change.

PM Modi

She has not only herself come forward to address many of their specific difficulties but also raised her voice at various global fora, highlighting those difficulties and calling for their redressal.

PM Modi

And over two hundred thousand LED bulbs have reached homes and shops in Maldives. They will help save precious electricity and environment, and also cut electricity bill. India has paid special attention to the needs and concerns of small islands.

PM Modi