Watch: PM Modi Delivers Opening Plenary at WEF 2018 in Davos

PM Narendra Modi pointed that technology and climate change were among the two major problems faced by the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the opening plenary at WEF 2018 in Davos. 

(Photo: AP)

India’s GDP has grown six times since the last time its prime minister attended the World Economic Forum at Davos, in 1997, said PM Narendra Modi, in his opening remarks, while addressing the plenary session at WEF 2018 in Davos.

Last time an Indian PM came to Davos was in 1997, when Deve Gowda ji had come. That time our GDP was little more than 400 billion dollars, now it’s more than six times the figure.

PM Narendra Modi

Modi pointed that technology and climate change were among the two major problems faced by the world, highlighting that it was time we thought about it.

The prime minister added that India has always believed in “unifying” people and not “dividing” them.

India has always believed in values of integration and unity, in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. This means the entire world is one family.

PM Narendra Modi

Modi also pointed how Mahatma Gandhi endorsed utilisation based on “need”, and opposed “greed”.

Expressing concerns about terrorism, Modi said that there was no difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terror.

Terrorism is dangerous. Worse is when people say there is a difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terror. It is painful to see some youngsters getting radicalised.

PM Narendra Modi

The prime minister also asserted that countries becoming “self-centered” was a sign of “shrinking” globalisation. He claimed that this too was a threat, like terrorism and climate change.

He added that in India, democracy and demography were the reasons for India’s developments.

Change in India’s ranking is an indicator that the people in India have warmly welcomed the change in policies as the road to a better future for them.

PM Narendra Modi

Modi said that all countries need to work harder to boost global economy.

He concluded his address in Davos by saying that an “inclusive, progressive” India will continue to be “good news” in the otherwise “gloomy world”.

A predictable, transparent and progressive India will continue to be the good news in an uncertain world. Let’s together make a world of heaven, where there is no place for fracture and walls. We consider the whole world a family.

PM Narendra Modi

(Catch all live updates here.)

(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at [e-mail]. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)