India has “walked the talk” on helping the world counter the coronavirus pandemic despite its “limited resources,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the inaugural session of the annual Raisina Dialogue conference co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today delivered a video address at the Inaugural Session of the Raisina Dialogue in virtual format, along with Chief Guests Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark.
Modi observed that the current edition of the Raisina Dialogue was taking place at a watershed moment in human history in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic which has been ravaging the world for more than a year. He called upon the global community to introspect on some pertinent questions in the present context.
The Indian PM emphasized that global systems should adapt themselves, in order to address the underlying causes and not just the symptoms. The Prime Minister called for keeping humanity at the centre of our thoughts and action and creating systems that address the problems of today and the challenges of tomorrow.
Modi elaborated upon India’s pandemic response efforts, both domestically as well as in form of assistance to other countries. He called for joint efforts to meet the varied challenges posed by the pandemic and reiteratedthat India would share its strengths for global good.
“All the steps taken were to prevent the last war, not the next one. While the humanity has not faced the Third World War, the threat of violence has not reduced in people’s lives. With a number of proxy wars and unending terror attacks, the prospect of violence is ever present,” he said, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented an opportunity to reshape the world order now.
In his taped speech shared over a virtual platform, Mr. Modi thanked participants of the Raisina Dialogue, especially the other leaders speaking at the four-day conference, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the President of the European Council Charles Michel, for attending in a year he called a “watershed moment in human history.” The Canadian Prime Minister was, of course, not invited.
Morrison, whose earlier plans to address the Raisina Dialogue in 2020 had to be canceled due to the Australian forest fire crisis as well, will address the conference virtually later this week.
The 6th Edition of the prestigious Raisina Dialogue, jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Observer Research Foundation, is being held virtually from 13-16 April, 2021. The theme for the 2021 Edition is "ViralWorld: Outbreaks, Outliers and Out of Control".
The text of the Indian PM's speech can be seen here.