World is looking at India with renewed respect: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today shared his thoughts on nine-day-three-nation tour of Myanmar, Australia and Fiji.

The Prime Minister in his blog, which was published today, said that he saw renewed respect for India during his nine day stay outside India.

Modi attended five summits including the one with leaders of Pacific Islands in Fiji and met 38 world leaders.

“During these bilateral meetings, I noticed one thing- that the world is looking at India with renewed respect and immense enthusiasm! I see a global community that is tremendously keen to engage with India,” he said.

The total number of bilateral meetings he attended stands at 20.

Modi wrote that with every leader, he discussed how they could make relations more extensive, diverse and wide-ranging.

“Strengthening trade and commerce and drawing industry to India was a central part of the discussion. Numerous leaders I met were very optimistic about our ‘Make in India' initiative and are keen to come to India and be a part of the extensive and diverse opportunities India has to offer. I see this as a positive sign, one that will bring several opportunities to India's youth and give them the right exposure that will make them shine. Such exposure has become imperative keeping in mind the pace at which the world is developing. Several world leaders also showed keenness on our plans to create ‘Next Gen Infrastructure' and smart cities,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister, during his nine-day long trip, also addressed the Parliaments of Australia and Fiji.

“Both addresses were a first for any Indian Prime Minister. In fact, I was told that my address to the Fijian Parliament was a first by any world leader. This is not a personal achievement, but it is a reflection on the respect that the 125 crore people of India have in the eyes of the global community,” he said.

At the G-20 Summit in Brisbane, India placed the issue of existence and repatriation of black money at the forefront of the world community.

“I am glad that the world community took note of this because this is an issue that does not selectively affect one nation. The menace of black money has the potential to destabilize world peace and harmony. Black money also brings with it terrorism, money laundering and narcotics trade. As democracies firmly committed to the rule of law, it becomes our obligation to collectively fight this evil and there was no better occasion than the G-20 to raise this. Our efforts paid off with the official communiqué reflecting this issue,” he wrote.

The Prime Minister said that the ASEAN Summit was an opportunity to engage with the leadership of ASEAN nations.

“It is my conviction that ASEAN and India can explore new frontiers together. We share the bonds of culture and history and at the same time are blessed with the vigour and energy of our youth,” the PM said.

He also took the opportunity t thank the leadership of the three nations for hosting an Indian Prime Minister.

“Wherever I went, I witnessed immense warmth from the people. I am extremely grateful to President Thein Sein, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Prime Minister Bainimarama the leaders of the three nations who hosted me,” he said.

“My individual meetings with them also covered significant ground on how to take relations with our respective nations ahead,” he added.

“With Myanmar President Thein Sein my talks were centered around the 3Cs of culture, commerce and connectivity. Australia Prime Minister Abbott and I made unprecedented progress in the areas of energy, culture, and security and are moving very positively on the issue of nuclear energy. The Framework for Security Cooperation is a fitting recognition of the increasing security ties with Australia. There will be a ‘Make in India' roadshow next year to invite Australia companies to India. During my meeting with Australian business leaders, I could see their willingness and eagerness to invest in India and such a roadshow will surely be very valuable in this context,” he further said.

He said that he can't describe in words the affection he received from the Indian community in Myanmar, Australia and Fiji.

“On a personal note, the affection from the Indian community was touching. Be it in Myanmar, Australia and Fiji, I will not be able to describe their warmth in words. I could see that they were proud of India and of the changes happening in India. I could see dreams and expectations in their eyes. As I said during the Indian community programme in Sydney, we are fully aware of the expectations and we will leave no stone unturned in creating the India of their dreams,” he said.

The Prime Minister also announced the visa-on-arrival facilities and the OCI and PIO merger in Australia and Fiji with an aim of making the diaspora an integral part of our development journey.

“We want to create an environment where our diaspora also feel that they can contribute towards India's development. That is also the reason I urged NRIs to keep sharing their views and thoughts on www.mygov.in,” he said.

He also recalled the reception at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“It was very kind of PM Abbott to specially fly down to Melbourne and host the reception, where cricketing greats including Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, VVS Laxman, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Dean Jones and Glenn McGrath joined,” he said.

Modi returned home yesterday after a nine-day-three-nation tour. The special Air India plane carrying the Prime Minister and his delegation landed at the airport at New Delhi airport at 7:15 am after a 14-hour flight from Fiji capital Suva with a two-hour refuelling halt at Yangon in Myanmar.