NEW DELHI: India has never moved forward with selfishness or with a spirit of expansionism and has always refrained from grabbing resources, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing Guyana’s Parliament. Modi on Thursday became the first Indian PM to address the Guyana Parliament.
“We have always stayed away from the feeling of occupying resources and grabbing resources. I believe, be it space or sea, these should not be subjects of universal conflict but of universal co-operation,” Modi said. His visit to the South American country is also the first by any Indian PM in 56 years.
Modi said this is not the time for conflict for the world, but the time to identify the conditions causing conflict and removing them. “Today, there are many such challenges like terrorism, drugs, cyber crime, and only by facing them we will be able to improve the future of our future generations. And, this is possible only when we give centrestage to Democracy First- Humanity First,” said Modi, adding that this was the time for Global South awakening and for developing countries to stay united.
“This is an opportunity for us to work together and create a new global order,” said Modi, adding India has always worked on the basis of trust, transparency, and principles.
The PM also said India stood for global development and peace. “With this spirit, today India has also become the voice of the Global South. India is of the view that the Global South has suffered a lot in the past. We progressed in the past by preserving nature as per our nature and values. But many countries developed while harming the environment,” said Modi.
“Today, the countries of the Global South are paying the biggest price for climate change. It is very important to remove the world from this imbalance,” he added.
Modi also called for giving primacy to women-led development to bring greater global progress and prosperity. “He urged for greater exchanges between the two countries in the field of education and innovation so that the potential of the youth could be fully realized. Conveying India’s steadfast support to the Caribbean region, he thanked (Guyana) President Irfaan Ali for hosting the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit,” said the Indian govt in a statement.