Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Ireland on a two-nation tour which will take him to the US next. In Dublin, PM Modi issued a joint statement with his Irish counterpart Enda Kenny. He addressed the Indian community in the capital city in wrap-up of his 5-hour stop over, and will be in New York tomorrow.
Here are the highlights from his speech:- PM Modi starts by saying, "I should've given you all more time".
- One passes over Ireland every time one flies to New York. Your love has brought me here this time.
- In 2016, Ireland will celebrate 100 years of their independence movement. Back in the day India too was battling colonialism. So I'm thinking India should participate in the celebrations.
- Irish kids are reciting Mantras, welcoming us. And it didn't feel like they were just reciting, it felt like they had 'internalized' the feeling behind them. If we would have done something like this (reciting mantras and welcoming a foreign dignitary) they would have raised questions on secularism.
- I spoke with the Irish prime minister at length today. There are so many things India and Ireland can cooperate on.
- The concept of BRICS bloc was floated in the late '80s.
- There were speculations that 'I' as in India has derailed from its development path; that perhaps Indonesia will take its place. Today, IMF, World Bank and everybody else say, if there's anyone powerful in BRICS... it's India.
- If we can continue on this path for the next 30 years, there will be no poverty.
- No one in India has to lower his/her head today. The Indian military can compete with any other force in the world. That's real power.
- I thank you for coming in such large numbers. This was planned for a short period of time. But I assure you, the Indian prime minister will not take 60 years to visit again.