PM Modi’s Vienna Address Highlights India’s Commitment to Global Peace and Prosperity
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/11th July 2024
In a recent address to the Indian diaspora in Vienna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored India’s enduring commitment to peace and prosperity. Emphasizing the nation’s historical contributions, Modi remarked that India has given the world “Buddha” (symbolizing peace) rather than “Yudh” (war).
Prime Minister Modi’s speech in Vienna was part of a broader two-nation tour, which also included a visit to Russia. During his address, Modi articulated India’s aspirations for global leadership in the 21st century. He affirmed that India is striving to be the “best, the brightest, achieving the biggest, and reaching the highest milestones.”
“For thousands of years, we have been sharing our knowledge and expertise. We didn’t give ‘Yudh’ (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,” Modi stated. This sentiment aligns with India’s historical emphasis on non-violence and peaceful coexistence, values deeply rooted in its cultural and spiritual heritage.
This visit to Austria marked the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 41 years. Modi described the visit as “meaningful,” noting that it comes at a significant time as India and Austria celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. “This long wait has come to an end on a historic occasion,” Modi declared, highlighting the importance of this milestone.
Despite the geographical distance between India and Austria, Modi highlighted the shared democratic values that bind the two nations. “India and Austria are geographically on two different ends, but we have many similarities. Democracy connects both countries. Our shared values are liberty, equality, pluralism, and respect for the rule of law. Our societies are multicultural and multilingual. Both countries celebrate diversity, and a big medium to reflect these values are elections,” he remarked.
In his meetings with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Modi discussed various avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in environmental protection and climate change mitigation. These discussions also touched upon global conflicts, including the ongoing Ukraine crisis and the situation in West Asia, reflecting India’s broader diplomatic engagement on critical international issues.
The Vienna visit was part of Modi’s tour, which also included significant discussions in Moscow. During talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Modi stressed the importance of peaceful resolutions to conflicts. He reiterated that war is not a solution to long-standing issues, emphasizing India’s consistent stance on promoting dialogue and diplomacy.
After his productive visits to Austria and Russia, Prime Minister Modi returned to New Delhi on Thursday morning. This tour, with its focus on peace, cooperation, and mutual prosperity, underscores India’s role as a responsible global player committed to fostering a harmonious international order.
