Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for a permanent seat for India in the UN Security Council, saying it should get it as a “right” for its immense contribution to global peace.
“Gone are those days when India will beg, we demand our right. I urge the international community to honour those who are envoys of peace. This is the opportunity to give the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Buddha its due,” he said on Saturday while addressing the Indian Diaspora in Paris.
“Indians have never fought a war because they wanted to expand their territorial boundaries.
Reinforcing his case, Prime Minister Modi said India has the maximum presence in UN peacekeeping forces.
“Both during World War I, and the World War II, when 14 lakh Indians went to the battle front, the participation of Indians was immense,” he stressed. Speaking about the World War I, he said, “The war went on for 4 years; Indians were fighting, but not for themselves.”
“India is a nation that has always believed in world peace. India is known as the land of sacrifice and devotion. I feel proud that our ancestors have left us such a tradition. The world should understand this and change its outlook towards India,” he said.
The Prime Minister, who spoke in Hindi to an estimated audience of over 2,000 people, mostly of Indian-origin, was repeatedly cheered with chants of “Modi, Modi”.
Recalling that he had earlier visited France as a tourist, he said, “Now I have come to take tourists from here to India.”
The Prime Minister also projected India as a land of “immense opportunities”, and invited investments and technology from across the world, saying it will be beneficial for the entire globe.
“The world is not aware of the greatness of India, leave alone its capabilities. I want the world to understand that and recognise that. I can assure you that the day will not be far when the world will both understand and recognise India’s potential,” PM Modi said.
