PM Modi at 'Bharat Ki Baat Sabke Saath' LIVE: 'A republic is driven by people power, participative democracy makes good governance possible'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that India will not tolerate those who like to export terror and will respond to them "in the language they understand", as he referred to the 2016 surgical strikes conducted across the LoC.
The prime minister, during the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' programme at the iconic Central Hall Westminster here, said when "someone has put a terror export factory in place and makes attempts to attack us from the back, Modi knows how to answer in the same language". He added that as a gesture, we ensured that Pakistan was informed about the surgical strike before making the news public in India. (Read full story)
Modi's remarks came in response to a question on the surgical strikes by a member of the audience who had speech disability. In his reply, Modi said, "Those who like exporting terror, I want to tell them that India has changed and their antics will not be tolerated.
"We believe in peace. But we will not tolerate those who like to export terror. We will give back strong answers and in the language they understand. Terrorism will never be accepted."
During his interaction, PM Modi stressed the importance of the power of people in a democracy, while highlighting the goals achieved by India's fast-paced development. Read PM Modi's top quotes during 'Bharat Ki Baat Sabke Saath'
Earlier in the day, the prime minister held bilateral discussions with his UK counterpart Theresa May on multiple aspects of India-UK relations and issues like counter-terrorism, radicalisation and online extremism, according to official statements.
May and Modi discussed a new UK-India Tech Partnership, which will create thousands of jobs and generate significant investment in both our economies. Looking ahead at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) tomorrow, they also agreed on the importance of working together to build a more "sustainable, prosperous, secure and fairer future" for all Commonwealth citizens.
Highlights of PM Modi's Bharat Ki Baat Sabke Saath:
Watch PM Modi's interaction 'Bharat Ki Baat Sabke Saath' with global audiences:
12:06 pm: I was not born with an aim to be in history books. I request you all- remember our country and not Modi. I am just like you all, a common citizen of India: PM
11:59 pm: My problem is not against criticism. To criticise, one has to research and find proper facts. Sadly, it does not happen now. What happens instead is allegations: PM
11:58 pm: I want this Government to be criticised. Criticism makes democracy strong: PM
11:55 pm: Democracy cannot succeed without constructive criticism: PM
11:46 pm: The world's attitude towards India and its citizens has changed in past few years: PM
11:45 pm: What prevented Indian Prime Ministers from going to Israel. Yes, I will go to Israel and I will even go to Palestine. I will further cooperation with Saudi Arabia and for the energy needs of India I will also engage with Iran: PM
11:43 pm: I could not go to the Commonwealth Summit in Malta. This time, Prince Charles came himself to invite me & said you have to attend the summit. Even Queen Elizabeth wrote a letter to me saying that you have to come: PM
11:40 pm:
11:36 pm: The 125 crore people of India are my family: PM
11:25 pm: If you will see where we stand in comparison to previous government, I can affirm that we left no stone unturned in doing good for the country on any parameter. Before 2014, newspapers used to have headlines 'aaj itna gaya', today's news is 'Modi Ji kitna aaya'?: PM
11:10 pm: It's our country misfortune that after independence, attempts were made to erase the culture and history of India. People were kept from anything but one single family. What Lord Basweshwar did for women empowerment, democracy and social causes is an example for world: PM Modi
11:10 pm: People of the nation need to realise their potential and do what is best for them: PM
11:10 pm: Since many years, the government of India has made people dependent. This has not helped the society: PM
11:04 pm: One of the things I wanted to do in London was to pay homage to Bhagwan Basaveshwara: PM
11:03 pm: Unfortunately, there have been efforts to do away with the Indian culture and history post Independence: PM
11:00 pm: Santosh Patil from Karnataka asks a question to PM on how Bhagwan Basaveshwara has influenced him.
10:58 pm: Maternity leaves for women have been increased to 26 weeks and this has been done keeping in mind the need for the good health of the child and of the mother: PM
10:57 pm: 'Ayushman Bharat' is one initiative that has been taken by us, to provide the best health facilities to the families of India: PM
10:56 pm: Education for the students, employment for the youth and medicine for the aged is what we should lay emphasis on, for the welfare of a society: PM
10:55 pm: Samuel from the audience has a question - what are your expectations from 'Modicare'?
10:46 pm: Demonetisation came as challenge for all of us, but I am proud of the people of my country that they contributed to this move to curb black money from the society: PM
10:45 pm: I alone cannot transform the nation alone. If India has a million problems, then we have a billion solutions: PM
10:44 pm: I did not have experience in governance. I told people that I may commit mistakes, but I also assured them that I will never do wrong by my will: PM
10:41 pm: I do not belong to a family of politicians and bureaucrats, I am a common man like all other Indians, my hard work is the only pledge that has led me here today: PM
10:41 pm: I am like any common citizen. And, I also have drawbacks like normal people do: PM
10:40 pm: Prasoon Joshi asks the Prime Minister- you are working hard but can you change the nation alone?
10:38 pm: There were no toilets in villages and districts, women in such families used to wait for hours to defecate. I undertook the task to construct toilets for a better life: PM
10:37 pm: When I came to power, I took an initiative to supply electricity to villages that are still in dark. Authorities told me that it will take almost 7 years, but I told them I cannot wait that long: PM
10:37 pm: 18,000 villages did not have electricity. So many women do not have access to toilets. These realities of our nation did not let me sleep. I was determined to bring about a positive change in the lives of India's poor: PM
10:35 pm: I do not need to read books to understand poverty. I have lived in poverty, I know what it is to be poor and belong to the backward sections of society. I want to work for the poor, the marginalised and the downtrodden: PM
10:34 pm: Parents should not only keep a watch on their daughters, but also teach moral principles to their sons: PM
10:34 pm: Incidents like rape should always be condemned, it is a subject of worry for the country: PM
10:32 pm: No matter how big initiatives we take for the country, we need to assure that the last person in the queue is also receiving the benefits of those initiatives: PM
10:25 pm: Those who like exporting terror, I want to tell them that India has changed and their antics will not be tolerated: PM
10:24 pm: We informed Pakistan about surgical strike before we announced it to Indian press and the world: PM
10:24 pm: I am proud of the Indian Army to have 100 per cent successfully implemented the surgical strike strategy and returned home before sunrise: PM
10:23 pm: We believe in peace. But we will not tolerate those who like to export terror. We will give back strong answers and in the language they understand. Terrorism will never be accepted: PM
10:22 pm: There are countries that export terrorism and attacks from behind as they do not have the courage for war: PM
10:21 pm: India is one of those countries that has contributed the most at UN's peace keeping: PM
10:21 pm: Even though India did not want to capture any country during World War I and World War II but 1.5 lakh Indian soldiers gave their lives: PM
10:21 pm: Surgical strikes go back thousands of years in Indian history. India has never tried to capture anyone's land ever: PM
10:20 pm: There is a question from the audience on the surgical strikes.
10:14 pm: Participative democracy makes good governance possible: PM
10:13 pm: People need to look at the country as their own. Today the need of the hour is to make development a mass movement: PM
10:13 pm: Post Independence, people think that only the government will transform the country: PM
10:12 pm: Today the need of the hour is to make development a mass movement: PM
10:11 pm: During the freedom struggle Mahatma Gandhi did something very different. He turned the freedom struggle into a mass movement. He told every person that whatever you are doing will contribute to India's freedom: PM
10:11 pm: Mahatma Gandhi gave a new direction to the struggle for Independence, he motivated people to do what they want to, and used it as an agitation: PM
10:11 pm: Since 1857 to 1947, people have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country, people have spent years in jail for Independence: PM
10:10 pm: Priyanka Verma from Delhi has a question for the PM- we select a Government that works for us. You have tried to change systems, but my question is should all this not have been done earlier.
10:08 pm: Clear policies, willpower and the intent of 'sarvjan hitay, sarvjan sukhai' you can deliver development within same constraints of the system: PM
10:07 pm: You will find a huge difference in the kind of governance India had before our government came to power. India has progressed a lot since then: PM
10:04 pm: I will not be of use to the country, the day I lose my impatience. I want the impatience within me to grow day by day: PM
10:00 pm: Yes, people have more expectations from us because they know that we can deliver. People know that when they say something, the Government will listen and do it. Days of incremental change are over: PM
09:57 pm: 'Besabri' is not a bad thing. If a person has a cycle, a person aspires a scooter. If a person has a scooter, a person aspires a car. It is nature to aspire. India is getting increasingly aspirational: PM
09:57 pm: The spirit of learning new things is the motivation to move forward at all ages. I am happy that the motivation within the 125 crore Indians is coming out: PM
09:56 pm: Prashant Dixit asks- yes work is happening, but still there is still some degree of impatience. What do you have to say to this.
09:53 pm: People are equivalent to Gods in a democracy and if they wish even a tea-seller can become their representative and shake hands at the Royal Palace: PM Modi
09:52 pm: The person at the Railway Station was Narendra Modi. The person at the Royal Palace in London is the Sevak of 125 crore Indians: PM
09:52 pm: My life at the Railway Station taught me so much. It was about my personal struggles. When you said Royal Palace, it is not about me but about the 125 crore people of India: PM
09:52 pm: My invite to Royal Palace is not my success story but result of hard work of 1.25 Bn Indians: PM
09:50 pm: The railway station is a special part of my life as it made me go through the struggles of life: PM
09:47 pm: I am thankful to you all to have invited me here and to give me the opportunity to speak here: PM
09:46 pm: Your life began from a Railway Station, and you are coming to this programme from the Royal Palace. What do you have to say about your life journey, asks Prasoon Joshi to PM
09:45 pm: PM Modi begins 'Bharat Ki Baat Sabke Saath' at London's Central Hall, Westminster (London)
09:40 pm:
09:05 pm: PM Modi to begin live interaction with global audiences 'Bharat Ki Baat Sabke Saath' at 09:30 pm (IST)
Highlights of PM Modi's day 1 on UK tour:
8:20 pm: The issue of economic offenders was also raised and this was among a number of consular issues that were raised, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale says when asked whether the issue of Vijay Mallya and Lalit Modi's extradition was discussed during PM Modi's meeting with UK PM Theresa May.
8:05 pm: PM Narendra Modi and British PM Theresa May visit Research Labs at Francis Crick Institute in London.
07:01 pm: India-UK ties are diverse and extensive. Our meeting today will give new energy to bilateral cooperation between our nations: PM Modi tells British PM Theresa May.
05:55 pm: British Prime Minister Theresa May and PM Narendra Modi also discussed the chemical weapons attacks in Salisbury and Syria, expressing concern and making clear their opposition to the use of chemical weapons by any party in any circumstances, says Downing Street spokesperson.
05:53 pm: British Prime Minister Theresa May and PM Narendra Modi discussed co-operation between the 2 countries on legal matters: Downing Street spokesperson
05:36 pm: People from Indian diaspora have started to gather at Parliament Square to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be speaking the iconic Central Hall Westminster later in the evening during 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' event.
04:55 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays floral tributes at the bust of Basaveshwara (12th-century Lingayat philosopher) at Albert Embankment Gardens.
03:27 pm: PM Modi raises the issue of economic offenders like Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi during his meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May.
01:59 pm: It is a matter of happiness for me that I will get to interact with people here on the birth anniversary of Lord Basaveshwara: PM Modi to Theresa May
01:57 pm: I'm confident that new energy will be added to our ties after today's meeting. I'm happy that UK will be part of International Solar Alliance, I believe this is not only fight against climate change but our responsibility for future generations: PM Modi in meeting with Theresa May
01:54 pm:
01:30 pm:
01:00 pm: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the return of illegal immigrants, which had expired in 2014, will be officially renewed to take into account biometric and other developments in the field, along with a range of nearly a dozen MoUs across different sectors.
Modi will then head to the Science Museum in London to visit the '5000 Years of Science and Innovation' exhibition where he will interact with Indian-origin and other scientists and innovators based in the UK.
The event, hosted by Prince Charles, will include the launch of a new Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, aimed at creating a first-of-its-kind global network for evidence-based research on yoga and Ayurveda.
A brief stop to garland the Basaveshwara statue -- which Modi had inaugurated during his last visit to the UK in 2015 -- on the banks of the river Thames will then be followed by his second meeting with May at an event hosted by the British prime minister at the Francis Crick Institute.
After an interaction with Indian-origin scientists working on cancer research, malaria and other tropical diseases, both leaders will initiate the India-UK CEOs Forum.
Modi is then scheduled for a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' diaspora event, to be telecast live from the iconic Central Hall Westminster in London today.
The event, billed as the centrepiece of the 'Living Bridge' theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve Modi addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media.
At the end of the live telecast, he will join Heads of Government from 52 other Commonwealth countries at a dinner hosted by the British prime minister as a formal welcome to CHOGM.
This will be followed by the executive session of the heads in London tomorrow before they head to Windsor for the CHOGM retreat, where the world leaders will interact on an informal basis.
This will conclude Modi's UK visit after which he will leave for India.
According to official estimates, the India-UK bilateral trade stands at USD 13 billion, with the UK among the largest G20 investors into India.
Modi's visit will have a particular focus on the India-UK technological partnership as well as an enhanced role in the Commonwealth.
"India's engagement is absolutely brilliant there is a recognition that the Commonwealth offers a great opportunity for India and within that opportunity lies an opportunity for the rest of the Commonwealth," says Lord Marland, chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
An Indian prime minister will attend the Commonwealth summit, which is held every two years, after a hiatus of nearly a decade, having last attended the 2009 CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Indian government has said that Modi's attendance at the summit this year symbolises the country's wider efforts to step up its role across global forums. This stepped-up engagement is likely to take the form of increased activity within the Commonwealth, including greater resources and manpower as well as financial contributions.
(With PTI inputs)
