Terror, climate change global threats: PM

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged climate change, terrorism and protectionism in trade policies as grave challenges before the world at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Modi started his address at the plenary session by saying that when an Indian Prime Minister, HD Deve Gowda, came here in 1997, India’s GDP was a little more than $400 billion, but now it has increased more than six times. In his speech, the PM said work was in progress to achieve a target of $5 trillion for the Indian economy by 2025 although he did not spell out any specifics. The current size of the Indian economy is around $2.3 trillion.

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In what appeared to be a speech probably more suited to a UN forum platform than a marquee event for global CEOs, the address seemed short on economic issues although it did cover a range of international issues.

Referring to WEF’s theme of “Creating a shared future in a fractured world”, he said the Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) has become more relevant in today’s time to address fissures and distances in the world.

Speaking in Hindi, Modi identified protectionism as a major threat that he said was the reverse of globalisation which he said was losing its sheen. He said that various types and tariff and non-tariff barriers were being imposed while cross-border trade, multilateral trade agreements and global supply chain were at a standstill.

The remarks come immediately after US President Donald Trump issued an order imposing import tariffs on imported solar panels and washing machines which caused a flutter across global markets.

Flagging terrorism as a grave concern before the world, Modi said though terrorism was dangerous, what was equally dangerous was the “artificial distinction” made between ‘good terrorist’ and ‘bad terrorist’.

He also emphasised that a predictable, stable, transparent and progressive India would continue to be good news in an otherwise uncertain global environment.

Outlining some solutions for shared prosperity, Modi sought to position India in a leadership role globally and urged leaders to come together to help the world get rid of its fractures.

He said the global powers must come together for a larger vision to face challenges. “It is imperative to follow rule-based international conventions as the rapid changes will themselves lead to greater uncertainty,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister interacted with top global CEOs at an International Business Council event, narrating the India growth story and the opportunities presented by the country for international players.

Besides a series of meetings with the world leaders and business chiefs after addressing the opening plenary, Modi also interacted with the international business community of the Geneva-based organisation that hosts this summit every year here in Davos. 

After the interaction the Prime Minister had with the global CEOs, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson tweeted, “The world applauds 1.3 bn people of India at the WEF in Davos appreciating the remarkable transformation in improving the business climate.” He also tweeted a picture of the prime minister with the council members with the hashtag ‘IndiaMeansBusiness’, the official campaign of India here at Davos. Modi separately also held a meeting with Indian CEOs.  (With PTI inputs)

Why 1% Indians have 73% wealth: Rahul

Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked Modi to tell people in Davos why 1% of India’s population had 73% of its wealth. “Dear PM, Welcome to Switzerland! Please tell DAVOS why 1% of India’s population gets 73% of its wealth? I’m attaching a report for your ready reference (sic),” he tweeted quoting a survey. BJP’s GVL Narsimha Rao hit back: “Dear @OfficeofRG This inequality is disastrous consequence of your family’s patented Nehru Congress’s “Poverty Perpetuation” Model of Governance by which only Congress became rich.” 

Modi, Trudeau discuss mutual interest 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed issues of mutual interest with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau in Davos. Tweeting about the meeting held on the sidelines of the WEF summit, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said, “A strategic partnership underpinned by shared values of democracy and pluralism!”

‘When birds tweeted, Amazon was forest’  

To stress upon the changes the world has seen in the past 20 years, PM Narendra Modi said very few people in 1997 had heard of Osama bin Laden and even Harry Potter was an unheard name. “Also, chess players did not have any big fear of the computer while Google was not there in cyber space and Amazon of that time was about dense forests. Tweeting was done by birds, not humans,” he said, adding that the Indian economy had changed significantly since 1997 when HD Deve Gowda had attended the forum. “The world is changing fast today and there are new and serious challenges related to peace and security and various other matters.” 

Modi’s speech Reason of pride, says Shah 

BJP chief Amit Shah termed Modi’s speech a ‘reason of pride’ for all Indians. “He has perfectly articulated India’s strengths and aspirations… India offers unique opportunities to the entire world. It offers wealth with wellness, health with wholeness of life, prosperity with peace... India welcomes one & all… The PM has superbly invoked how Indian culture has always believed in uniting, not dividing. Our scriptures, written thousands of years ago, speak about ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. We are all united by our shared destinies.”