Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Wednesday that India has given the world ‘Buddha’ (peace) rather than ‘Yuddha’ (war), highlighting the country’s long-standing commitment to peace and prosperity. He expressed confidence that India will enhance its role in the 21st century.
Speaking to the Indian diaspora in Vienna, Modi emphasized that India is striving to excel, achieve greatness, and reach the highest milestones.
“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,” Modi made these remarks a day after arriving from Moscow, where he emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict in discussions with President Vladimir Putin.
It has been 41 years since an Indian Prime Minister has visited Austria, a fact that Modi described as “meaningful” in his statement about his first visit.
“This long wait has come to an end on a historic occasion. India and Austria are celebrating 75 years of their friendship,” he said.
“India and Austria are geographically on two different ends, but we have many similarities. Democracy connects both the 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 said, amid chants of ‘Modi, Modi’.
Speaking about the recently held general elections, Modi mentioned that 650 million people used their right to vote and that the results were announced in a matter of hours despite the large turnout.
The people voted for continuity, he noted, giving him the mandate for an unprecedented third term. “It is the power of our electoral machinery and democracy,” he declared.
India’s Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in India’s future as the third largest economy and a developed country, Viksit Bharat, by 2047. India is currently growing at an 8% rate and is in the 5th position, with a mission to become one of the top three economies globally.
Modi also highlighted Austria’s expertise in green growth and innovation as a potential partner for India, leveraging its high growth trajectory and globally reputed start-up ecosystem. He emphasized India’s role as a “Vishwabandhu” contributing to global progress and well-being, and urged the community to continue nurturing cultural and emotional bonds with the motherland.
Modi also highlighted Austria’s deep intellectual interest in Indian philosophy, languages, and thought, which has existed in the country for centuries. He noted that Sanskrit was taught at Vienna’s university around 200 years ago, and the establishment of an independent chair for Indology in 1880 further boosted the interest in India.
Austrian Federal Minister of Labour and Economy Martin Kocher attended the event, which saw participation from the Indian diaspora from across the country. The Indian diaspora consists of professionals working in healthcare, other sectors, and multilateral UN bodies, with around 500 Indian students pursuing higher education in Austria.
-Simran
