Indians are Now Excited to Return to Their Country, Says PM Modi in Seoul: Highlights

Seoul: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the South Korean capital of Seoul this morning. He addressed a reception organised by the Indian community, which around 1500 people attended.

Here are the highlights of what he said:

• First, we had a 'Look East' policy. Now, we have an 'Act East' policy.
• We have been part of talks for BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• There had been worries that BRICS was beginning to fail because the 'I' was hanging.
• But now, over the past one year, the 'I' has become strong.
• It has now come to a point where BRICS cannot exist without the 'I'.
• India is now the fastest-growing economy of the world.
• This century was called the Asian century. That idea was was dwindling earlier. But now, it seems it is possible.
• I decided to first come and meet you and then get work.
• South Korea was called the 'Lamp of the East' by Rabindranath Tagore.
• There used to be a point in time when people used to regret being born in India and leaving the country saying it is no good. They wanted to leave for better opportunities.
• Now, those people are saying they are ready to come back even if their incomes are lower than in other places. The mood has changed.
• We went India to become amanufacturing hub. World's best technology to come to India.
• There has been great technological advancement in Korea. All of you here, should be able tpo help us with technological advancement when we need it.
• What happens in India must affect you as someone who is witnessing it from inside.
• You must have all information of what is happening in India, in spite of being so far.
• Every country has problems.
• After coming here, you must have realised that every country has problems.
• Till 30 years ago, didn't South Korea have problems?
• But we need to work towards getting out or resolving these problems.
• I have come with one medicinal herb that I am offering as a remedy to India's problems. And that medicinal herb is 'development'.
• Development is not just about making big buildings or good roads.
• I want to improve the quality of life.
• When I became Prime Minister, I was shocked. The news that was coming out was not that Modi is doing this or Modi is doing that.
• The news that was coming out was that people have started going to the office on time.
• That pained me. It should have been a matter of course, not something out of the way. Do we tweet when we have a good meal made by our mothers? No matter how good it, we treat it as a matter of course.
• For any country, diplomatic relationships with its neighbours is of highest importance.
• We have done nothing new. We have only done what comes naturally to humans - humanity.
• We have chosen the path of humanity to reconnect to the world.
• We can reconnect to the countries on basis of humanity.
• Discussions on SAARC are emerging again.
• We have given precedence to humanity issues in SAARC, in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan.
• Nepal's Prime Minister has openly said that he found out about the earthquake from Modi's tweet.
• Bangladesh has a history of instability.
• In one year in government, we resolved the boundary issue with Bangladesh.
• I appreciate all the parties of the country for their support on this issue.
• This was historic, because it was the first time that both the Lower House and Upper House of Parliament passed a bill unanimously.
• In Yemen, we evaucated many Pakistanis.
• Not just that, Pakistan evacuated 11 Indians. And they did not stop with that. They flew them out in a special plane.
• That is a barometer of the rising cooperation with out neighbours on the basis of humanity.
• I have come here to tell you that the extent to which Narendra Modi has a right over India, you too have the same right over India.
• I can perceive all over the world that than those of us sitting in government and in government offices, it is Indians like you who ae doing the nation proud.
• Those in government or in government organisations may be doing India proud in the hundreds. But there are thousands of you doing that. And we cannot surpass you.
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