‘We Don’t Covet Anyone’s Territory’: PM Modi Takes a Jibe at China

PM Modi said that India’s development assistance model was based on human value, not “give and take.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at China on Tuesday, 9 January, when he said that India did not “covet any other country’s resources or territory,” and that the structure of its development assistance model was based more on “human values” than that of profit and loss, says BBC News, as reported by Times of India.

The statement was made by Modi at India’s ‘Persons of Indian Origin’ (PIO) Parliamentarian Conference, in Delhi on Tuesday. Modi, by saying this, seems to be mocking China’s development assistance model, that seems to work on the principle of ‘give and take’, reported The Asian Age.

The Asian Age report adds that Modi’s use of the word “covet territories” is directed at China’s aim to further its economic influence in several South Asian countries, and its territorial disputes with these countries.

Our development aid is not based on the give-and-take model. Rather, it depends on the needs and priorities of those countries. We have no intention of exploiting their resources and we don’t eye their territory. 

PM Modi, as reported by BBC and quoted by TOI

“Our focus has always been on capacity-building and resource development," he added.

According to The Asian Age, Modi also spoke about how the BJP government, under his lead, aims for an economic “reform for transformation” and “far-reaching policy reforms” for the development of India. He also added that his government truly respected the many faiths and sects in the country, referring to its “inclusive” character. He reportedly said the words, “Sabka saath, sabka vikas” (taking everyone along, with progress for all).

Modi also said that the government believes in “Gandhian ideals” and “Indian values” as the means to counter any kind of extremism or radicalism.

If there is any ideology to counter extremism and radicalism, it is Gandhian ideals and Indian values.

PM Modi, as reported by The Asian Age

Over 130 MPs and mayors hailing from the Indian diaspora across the world in 23 nations, including Britain, the United States, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Malaysia, Mauritius, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, Fiji, and Trinidad and Tobago, attended the conference, The Asian Age reported.

(With inputs from The Asian Age and Times of India)