The Financial Times published an interview of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 December 2023 which covered a wide range of topics from foreign policy to the criticism levelled against him. The Prime Minister deftly navigated all the tricky questions, expressed confidence in India’s progress and dismissed concerns raised by critics. Here are some key quotes from the interview:
Asserting the evolving aspirations of the Indian populace, Modi stated that the nation stands on the brink of a transformative era. He highlighted the electorate’s confidence in his party’s ability to expedite India’s progress, especially after recent victories in state elections. The criticisms about “democratic backsliding” and alleged attacks on secular principles, were dismissed by the Prime Minister. He labeled such criticisms as insults to the intelligence of the Indian people, emphasizing their deep commitment to values like diversity and democracy.
Addressing concerns about constitutional amendments, Modi declared any talk of such changes as meaningless. He defended the transformative initiatives undertaken by his government, ranging from a nationwide toilet-building campaign to digital infrastructure development, asserting that these achievements were realized through public participation without amending the constitution.
Discussing India’s foreign policy, Modi emphasized the nation’s commitment to engaging with other countries based on mutual interests and an awareness of contemporary geopolitical complexities. Regarding India’s relationship with the United States, Modi described it as broader, deeper, and warmer than ever before.
On the economic front, Modi highlighted India’s progress from the “Fragile Five” to the world’s fifth-largest economy. Despite achievements, concerns about unemployment, corruption, administrative hurdles, and a perceived skills gap persist. Modi countered unemployment worries with data indicating a consistent decline in rates, emphasizing India’s acceleration in employment generation.
Responding to criticisms about potential threats to democracy in a third term, Modi expressed confidence that doubters would be proven wrong, drawing parallels with historical instances where predictions about India’s future proved false.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.