India is changing at a record pace and the world is taking notice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an event organised by the Indian community in Moscow, Russia today. He said the country is full of confidence and is making things happen. “More than 140 crore Indians are making this resurgence of India possible – they dream big, they take pledges and then make them happen,” he said.
In this context, the Prime Minister also mentioned India’s victory in the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, which ended the Indian team’s 13-year ICC trophy drought.
The Prime Minister said, “Before 2014, we were in the depths of despair. Today, the country is full of self-confidence. Two patients suffering from the same disease are in the same hospital, with equally capable doctors treating them. But if one patient is hopeful and the other is in despair, you will see that the hopeful one will recover sooner. India’s capital now is its self-confidence.”
He said, “You must have celebrated India’s T20 World Cup victory here. The real story of that victory is the journey to reach it. Today’s young India does not give up till the last ball and the last moment. And victory kisses the feet of those who do not give up.”
Showcasing his Government’s achievements, the Prime Minister said, “When India hosts a G-20 Summit of this scale, the world takes notice. When India electrifies 40,000 km of rail lines, the world sees India’s growth potential. When India launches the Solar Mission and successfully reaches L1 orbit, when India lands on the Moon, when India builds the world’s tallest rail bridge, when India builds the world’s tallest statue, the world sees India moving ahead. And India can do all this because of the potential and capability of 140 crore Indians, because of its talented diaspora in every country of the world.”
The Prime Minister said India and Russia are working together to promote global prosperity. “All of you are taking India-Russia relations to new heights. With your hard work and integrity, you have contributed to Russian society. I have been an admirer of the unique relationship between India and Russia,” he said. He described Russia as India’s “evergreen ally” and “trusted friend”.
He said the relationship is based on mutual trust and respect. “Our relations have been tested many times and our friendship has always remained strong. I thank my friend President Putin for his leadership. For more than two decades, he has worked to strengthen this partnership. This is my sixth visit to Russia in the last 10 years and during this time we have met each other 17 times. These meetings have strengthened trust and respect. When our students were caught in the middle of the (Ukraine) conflict, President Putin helped us bring them back home,” he said.
The Prime Minister said it was an honour for him that his first overseas engagement after being elected for the third time was taking place in Moscow. He said, “I have pledged that I will work three times harder and three times faster than I did in the first two terms. I can assure you that in this third term you will see that India will challenge every challenge that comes its way. And it is in my DNA that I challenge every challenge.”