1.PM Modi awarded Seoul Peace Prize in South Korea, says it belongs to people of India' PM Modi contributed the monetary award of $200,000 to the Namami Gange Programme (National Mission for Clean Ganga). 2.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, was Friday awarded the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his “contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth”. The award was presented to him by the Seoul Peace Prize Foundation. A short film on the life and achievements of PM Modi was also screened at the event. 3.Dedicating the prize to people of India, PM Modi said, “I believe that this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India. The success that India has achieved in the last 5 years is due to aspirations, inspiration and efforts of the people of India. On their behalf, I accept the Award and express my gratitude.” 4.“I dedicate this award to the 1.3 billion people of India for giving me the opportunity to serve them. I am honoured that this award is being conferred on me in the year that we celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,” he added. 5.Modi is the 14th recipient of the award and the past laureates include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and international relief organisations Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam.

ry 20, 
*PM’s  departure for Republic of Korea : 20 Feb, 2019 

Opinion
       24/02/2019
                1707.

*The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi arrives, in Seoul, South Korea on February 21, 2019.

Sub :
1.PM Modi awarded Seoul Peace Prize in South Korea, says it belongs to people of India'
PM Modi contributed the monetary award of $200,000 to the Namami Gange Programme (National Mission for Clean Ganga).
2.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, was Friday awarded the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his “contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth”. The award was presented to him by the Seoul Peace Prize Foundation. A short film on the life and achievements of PM Modi was also screened at the event.
3.Dedicating the prize to people of India, PM Modi said, “I believe that this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India. The success that India has achieved in the last 5 years is due to aspirations, inspiration and efforts of the people of India. On their behalf, I accept the Award and express my gratitude.”
4.“I dedicate this award to the 1.3 billion people of India for giving me the opportunity to serve them. I am honoured that this award is being conferred on me in the year that we celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,” he added.
5.Modi is the 14th recipient of the award and the past laureates include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and international relief organisations Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam. 

Ref : 1. PM’s statement prior to departure for Republic of Korea : 20 Feb, 2019      

I am visiting the Republic of Korea at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in. This will be my second visit to the Republic of Korea and my second Summit meeting with President Moon.

We had the pleasure of receiving President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Mrs. Kim Jung-sook in India in July last year. My visit to the Republic of Korea is reflective of the importance we both attach to our relationship.

We regard the Republic of Korea as a valued friend, a nation with which we have a Special Strategic Partnership. As fellow democracies, India and the ROK have shared values and a shared vision for regional and global peace. As fellow market economies, our needs and strengths are complementary. ROK is an important partner for our ‘Make in India’ initiative as well as in our ‘Start Up India’ and ‘Clean India’ initiatives. Our collaboration in the field of science and technology is encouraging, with our joint research ranging from basic to advanced sciences.

Our people to people ties and exchanges, as always, provide the bedrock of our ties of friendship. We were touched by President Moon’s decision to send the First Lady as his special representative at the ‘Deepotsav’ Festival held in Ayodhya last November.

The growing depth and variety in our relationship has been accentuated by the harmony between our Act East Policy and ROK’s New Southern Policy. Working together, we are determined to take our relationship forward as a ‘future oriented partnership for People, Prosperity and Peace’.

During this visit, apart from my discussions with President Moon, I will meet with business leaders, members of the Indian community as well as eminent persons from all walks of life.

I am confident that this visit will help us to further strengthen this important partnership.

****

https://youtu.be/pdpS3UqfJ7U

Ref : 2. PM’s address at ‘India-ROK Business Symposium’ during his visit to Republic of Korea : 21 Feb, 2019

Your Excellency,

Yunmo Sung, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy,

Distinguished Business Leaders,

Friends,

A very good afternoon. I am delighted to meet you all today in Seoul. This is my third interaction with the Korean business leaders in the span of just 12 months. This intensity is intentional. I wish to see more and more Korean businesses turning their attention to India. Even when I was the Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat, I traveled to Korea. Korea was, and still remains, a role-model of economic growth for me.

Friends,

India today, a country of 1.25 billion people, is going through a great transition.

It is changing from:

· An agriculture dominated economy to an economy led by industry and services;

· An economy that is closed to one that is globally inter-linked;

· An economy that is known for its red tape, to one known for its red carpet.

India has emerged as a land of opportunities. While we work for realizing the ‘Indian Dream’, we seek like-minded partners. And, among them, we see South Korea is truly natural partner. India-Korea Business relations have come a long way in the past decade, and especially closer in the last few years. India is among top 10 trade partners of Korea and India is the 6th largest export destination for Korean goods. Our trade volume has reached 21.5 billion Dollars for the calendar year 2018. The negotiations to upgrade Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement have been fast-tracked to achieve the bilateral trade target of 50 billion Dollars by 2030. Not just trade, in investment terms also we are seeing a positive turn. And, Korean investments into India have reached a cumulative figure of almost 6 billion Dollars.

Friends,

After my visit to Korea in 2015, we launched a Korea specific facilitation cell “Korea Plus” under ‘Invest India’ to guide, assist and handhold investors during the entire life-cycle of the business. Hyundai, Samsung, LG electronics have become trustworthy brands in India. And, Kia is soon to join this club. Over 600 Korean companies have invested in India. And, we aspire to welcome many more. And, to ease your path, Visa on Arrival for Korean nationals has been put in place since October last year. We encourage the presence of Korean Trade Offices in India. And, I am glad that we recently had the sixth office of KOTRA opened in Ahmedabad. Let me tell you a little more about what is happening in India now. The fundamentals of our economy are sound. We are well set to become a 5 trillion dollar economy in the near future. No other large economy in the world is growing at over 7% year after year. Hard policy decisions such as the introduction of Goods and Services Tax have been taken. In the last four years, we have jumped 65 places in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, to 77th. And, we are determined to move into the top 50 next year. We are one of the most open countries for Foreign Direct Investment today. More than 90 percent of our sectors are now on automatic route for approval. As a result of this and the confidence in India, we have received FDI worth over 250 billion Dollars over the past four years.

Friends,

In India, we are also focused on making our growth inclusive. It is for this reason that we have taken strong initiatives for financial inclusion. In the course of the past three years, we have opened over 300 million bank accounts for those who never had a bank account. Now, 99 percent of Indian house-holds have a bank account and more than 12 billion Dollars have been deposited in these accounts. They now have access to affordable pensions and insurance. Under the Mudra scheme, we have extended micro credit worth more than 90 billion dollars to 128 million persons over the past three years. 74 percent of these loans have gone to women. We have leveraged the power of a biometric identity system, bank accounts and mobile phones, to deliver subsidies and services to the previously unbanked. Government benefits worth more than 50 billion Dollars are now transferred directly to the beneficiaries, thus eliminating leakages. We have taken huge strides in rural electrification. India is now recognised by the International Energy Agency as one of the greatest success stories in bringing about rural access to energy in 2018. In renewable energy, we have become the sixth largest producer in the world. This, and our initiative of the International Solar Alliance, will enable India to be a pioneer in moving towards a green Global economy. That is our commitment to a green and sustainable future. Through these steps, the way of life of our people in all corners of the country is being transformed. This, in turn, is transforming governance and public service.

Friends,

Economic progress is closely tied to world-class infrastructure. Be it Transport, Power, Ports, Shipbuilding, Housing and Urban Infrastructure, there is huge demand in India while there are strong technological capabilities and capacities in Korea. We estimate the investment requirements in Infrastructure at over 700 billion Dollars by 2022. Under the Sagarmala Project, Port projects involving Investment of over 10 billion Dollars have been identified for award in the upcoming five years. It is essential to guide the growth of urban utilities and create smart cities which ensure sustainable and clean future for all. More than 500 million of India population will be urban by 2025 and this opens the scope for cooperation in building smart solutions in India. Recognizing the importance of supporting India’s infrastructure development, India and South Korea have identified 10 billion Dollars under Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund and Export Credit, to finance such projects. While aiming for fast economic growth, India is also rooted in the principles of ensuring sustainable economic growth. For example in Automobile sector, The National electric mobility mission aims for affordable and efficient Electric Vehicles. South Korea being a leading manufacturer of Electric Vehicles has a huge opportunity in this sector in India.

Friends,

Research and innovation would be the driving force in 4th industrial revolution era. And, we do understand that the role of government is to provide the support system. In this regard, we have introduced flagship program Start-up India with 1.4 billion Dollars fund for four years to create a startup ecosystem in India. Under the able leadership of President Moon, South Korea has also unveiled a program to spend 9.4 billion Dollars by 2020 in a bid to increase capital supply for startups and venture-friendly environment. This synergy in policy regimes is a reflection of areas of common interest for both India and Korea. Our vision of an India-Korea Startup Centre – will provide a hub for Korean startups and Indian talent to freely communicate. South Korean National IT Industry promotion Agency has already opened their Indian office in Bengaluru to facilitate Korean startups to India. In the field of innovation, both countries have decided to establish ‘India-Korea Future Strategy Group’ and ‘India-Korea Centre for research and Innovation Cooperation’ to provide an institutional framework for future-oriented cooperation based on research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Friends,

It is our earnest desire to work with Republic of Korea more closely to realize the dream of our citizens. Efforts by the Governments will not be realized unless business leaders like you share the same dreams. I would like to conclude here with Korean expression:

I entirely agree with its meaning, that, “you would go fast if you go alone, but you would go far if you go together”.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Ref : 3. PM unveils bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Yonsei University in Seoul : 21 Feb, 2019

*https://youtu.be/eR_5hJ-BPOA

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Yonsei University in Seoul.

The President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Moon Jae-in, First Lady of the Republic of Korea, Kim Jung-sook, and former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, were present on the occasion.



Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister described it as an honour to unveil the bust of Bapu at Yonsei University.

This becomes even more special because we are doing so at a time when we mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bapu, the Prime Minister said.

The thoughts and ideals of Bapu have the power to help us overcome the menace of terrorism and climate change, two challenges humanity faces in these times, said the Prime Minister.

Through his lifestyle, Bapu showed what living in harmony with nature is, and how one can minimize one’s carbon footprint. He also showed that it is important to leave a clean and green planet for the future generations, the Prime Minister added.

Yonsei University is among the most prestigious universities in South Korea.

Mahatma Gandhi is revered in South Korea as an icon of world peace.

It is an honour to unveil the bust of Bapu at Yonsei University in Seoul.

Ref : 4. PM addresses Indian Community in Korea : 21 Feb, 2019

*https://youtu.be/xe5tNGtw0H0

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the Indian community in Korea.

He thanked the Indian community in Seoul for the warm welcome they had accorded him.

He said ties between India and Korea are not just on the basis of business contact. He said the main basis of the relationship between both countries is People To People Contact.

The Prime Minister referred to old links between India and Korea, and recalled Queen Suryaratna who travelled thousands of kilometres from Ayodhya, and married a Korean King. He also recalled that recently on Diwali, the First Lady of Korea, Kim Jung-sook, had visited Ayodhya.

The Prime Minister said that Buddhism had further strengthened these bonds of friendship between the two countries.

The Prime Minister said that he is happy to note that the Indian community is contributing to development, research and innovation in Korea.

He mentioned the popularity of Yoga and Indian festivals in Korea. He said Indian cuisine is also fast gaining popularity in Korea. He also spoke of the splendid performance of Korea in the Indian sport – Kabaddi – at the Asian Games.

The Prime Minister described the Indian community all over the world, as ambassadors of India, whose hard work and discipline has raised India’s stature worldwide.

The Prime Minister said that India is celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year. He said that the world must know more about Bapu, and it is our responsibility to pursue this objective.

The Prime Minister said that India’s ties with Korea are strengthening, and both countries are working together for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. He noted that Indian brands are now present in Korea, and Korean brands are household names in India.

The Prime Minister spoke at length of the economic development that has taken place in India recently.

He said India will soon become a 5 trillion dollar economy.

He spoke of the phenomenal progress made in Ease of Doing Business, and in Ease of Living. He also mentioned reforms such as GST and cashless economy.

He mentioned that the world is witnessing a financial inclusion revolution in India. In this context he spoke of bank accounts, insurance and Mudra loans.

He said that India’s prestige is rising because of several achievements. He mentioned free treatment for the poor, the tallest statue in the world – Statue of Unity, and Digital India.

The Prime Minister also spoke of India’s developments in the field of clean energy, and the formation of the International Solar Alliance.

The Prime Minister said that there is a new energy in India today. He also mentioned that tomorrow, he shall receive the Seoul Peace Prize, on behalf of the people of India, and the Indian diaspora.

The Prime Minister mentioned the ongoing Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, and said the world was taking note of the cleanliness that had been kept at Kumbh this time. He exhorted the Indian community in Korea to promote tourism in India, by their own individual efforts.

***

*https://youtu.be/qdTVk_gUPjA

Ref : 5. PM’s Press statement during his visit to Republic of Korea : 22 Feb, 2019

Press statement by Prime Minister during his visit to Republic of Korea

Your Excellency राष्ट्रपति

मून-जे-इन
Distinguished delegates,

Friends,
आनयोंग
हा-सेयो!
नमस्कार!

कोरिया आने के निमंत्रण के लिए, और हमारे गर्मजोशी भरे स्वागत के लिए, मैं राष्ट्रपति मून का ह्रदय से आभार प्रकट करता हूँ। मैंने पहले भी कई बार कहा है, और जब मैं प्रधानमंत्री नहीं बना था, तब से मेरा मानना रहा है, कि भारत के विकास के लिए, कोरिया का model शायद सबसे अधिक अनुकरणीय है। कोरिया की प्रगति भारत के लिए प्रेरणा का स्रोत है। और इसलिए, कोरिया की यात्रा करना मेरे लिए हमेशा प्रसन्नता का विषय होता है।

Friends,

पिछले वर्ष जुलाई में हमें राष्ट्रपति मून का भारत में स्वागत करने का अवसर मिला था। East Asia Summit और G-20 Summit के समय भी हमारी मुलाकातें हुई। मैंने अनुभव किया है कि भारत कीAct East Policy और कोरिया की New Southern Policy का तालमेल हमारी Special Strategic Partnership को और अधिक गहराई और मजबूती देने का सुदृढ़ platform दे रहा है।

Indo-Pacific के संबंध में भारत का विजन समावेशिता, आसियान की केन्द्रीयता और साझी समृद्धि पर विशेष जोर देता है। यह एक ऐसा क्षेत्र है जिसमें भारत और कोरिया साझा मूल्यों और हितों के आधार पर, पूरे क्षेत्र एवं विश्व के लाभ के लिए मिलकर काम कर सकते हैं।

और मुझे प्रसन्नता है कि पिछले वर्ष राष्ट्रपति जी की भारत यात्रा के बाद बहुत ही कम समय में हमने अपने संबंधों में महत्वपूर्ण प्रगति की है। यह प्रगति और भविष्य में हमारे संबंधों का रोडमैप, People, Peace और Prosperity के हमारे साझा विज़न पर आधारित है।

Friends,

पिछले सप्ताह भारत में पुलवामा में हुए आतंकी हमले के बाद, राष्ट्रपति मून के संवेदना और समर्थन के संदेश के लिए हम उनके आभारी हैं। हम आतंकवाद के खिलाफ अपने द्विपक्षीय और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सहयोग और समन्वय को और अधिक मजबूत करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध हैं।

आज भारत के गृह मंत्रालय और कोरिया की राष्ट्रीय पुलिस एजेंसी के बीच संपन्न हुआ MOU हमारे counter-terrorism सहयोग को और आगे बढ़ाएगा। और, अब समय आ गया है कि वैश्विक समुदाय भी बातों से आगे बढ़ कर, इस समस्या के विरोध में एकजुट हो कर कार्यवाही करे।

Friends,

भारत के आर्थिक परिवर्तन में हम कोरिया को मूल्यवान साझेदार मानते हैं। हमारे trade और investment संबंध बढ़ रहे हैं। आज राष्ट्रपित मून और मैंने 2030 तक हमारे द्विपक्षीय व्यापार को बढ़ा कर50 billion dollars तक ले जाने के लक्ष्य के प्रति अपना commitment दोहराया है।

Infrastructure, Port Development, Marine (मरीन) और Food Processing, Start-ups और Small and Medium Enterprises जैसे sectors में हम अपना सहयोग बढ़ाने पर सहमत हैं।

हमारी बढ़ती सामरिक साझेदारी में रक्षा क्षेत्र की अहम भूमिका है। इसका एक उदहारण भारतीय थल सेना में K-9 "वज्र” आर्टिलरी गन के शामिल होने में देखा जा सकता है।

रक्षा उत्पादन में इस उल्लेखनीय सहयोग को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए हमने defence technology और co-production पर एक रोडमैप बनाने के लिए भी सहमति की है। और इसके अंतर्गत हम भारत में बनाए जा रहे defence industrial corridors में कोरियाई कंपनियों की भागीदारी का भी स्वागत करेंगे।

Friends,

पिछले वर्ष नवम्बर में अयोध्या में आयोजित 'दीपोत्सव' महोत्सव में First Lady किम की मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में भागीदारी हमारे लिए सम्मान का विषय था। उनकी यात्रा से हज़ारों वर्षों के हमारे सांस्कृतिक संबंधों पर एक नया प्रकाश पड़ा, और नई पीढ़ी में उत्सुकता और जागरूकता का वातावरण बना।

हमारे ऐतिहासिक people-to-people संबंधों को और अधिक मजबूत करने के लिए हमने भारत में कोरिया के नागरिकों के लिए Visa on Arrival की सुविधा पिछले वर्ष अक्टूबर से शुरू कर दी है।

कोरिया द्वारा भारत के नागरिकों के लिए Group Visa के सरलीकरण के निर्णय का मैं स्वागत करता हूँ। इससे हमारे द्विपक्षीय पर्यटन का विकास होगा।

मेरी यह कोरिया यात्रा ऐसे महत्वपूर्ण वर्ष में हो रही है, जब महात्मा गांधी की 150वीं वर्षगाँठ मनाई जा रही है। और कोरिया में लोकतंत्र के आन्दोलन का शताब्दी समारोह भी मनाया जा रहा है।

हमारे महात्मा गाँधी स्मरणोत्सव संग्रह के लिए राष्ट्रपति मून द्वारा लिखी गई श्रद्धांजलि के लिए मैं उनका आभारी हूँ।

Friends,

आज कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप में जो शांति और स्थिरता हमें नजर आती है उसका श्रेय राष्ट्रपति मून के अथक प्रयासों को जाता है। उनके दृढ़ विश्वास और धीरज के लिए मैं उनका अभिनंदन करता हूँ।

और कोरियाई प्रायद्वीप में स्थायी शांति के लिए भारत के पूरे सहयोग की वचन-बद्धता को दोहराता हूं। आज दोपहर सौल शांति पुरस्कार प्राप्त करना मेरे लिए बहुत बड़े सम्मान का विषय होगा।

मैं यह सम्मान अपनी निजी उपलब्धियों के तौर पर नहीं बल्कि भारत की जनता के लिए कोरियाई जनता की सद्भावना और स्नेह के प्रतीक के तौर पर स्वीकार करूंगा। मुझे और मेरे प्रतिनिधिमंडल को दिए गए स्नेहपूर्ण स्वागत और आतिथ्य के लिए मैं राष्ट्रपति मून, कोरियाई सरकार और कोरियाई जनता को ह्रदय से धन्यवाद देता हूँ।

खम्सा-हम-निदा
धन्यवाद।

***

***

*https://youtu.be/Xq8KojkGVLo

Ref : 6. PM’s acceptance speech for the Seoul Peace Prize : 22 Feb, 2019

Chairman of the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, Mr. Kwon E-hyock

Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Moon Hee-sang

Minister for Culture, Mr. Do Jong-hwan

Former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon
Other members of Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation,

Distinguished dignitaries

Ladies and Gentlemen

Friends,

Namaskar!

Greetings to all

I am deeply honoured to be awarded the Seoul Peace Prize I believe that this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India. The award belongs to the success that India has achieved in the less than five years, powered by the strengths and skillsof one point three billion Indians. And so, on their behalf, I humbly accept the Award and express my gratitude. This award is a recognition of the philosophy that has given the message of  which means the entire world is one family. This award is for the culture that has given the message of peace even on the battle-field, as Lord Krishna gave the teachings of Bhagwad Gita during the battle in the .This Award is for a land where we are taught

Which means:

May there be peace every  where in the sky in space,

all over our planet, in nature.

May there be eternal peace.

And, this award is for the people who have always put societal good above individual ambitions. And, I am honoured that this award is being conferred on me in the year that we celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. I would like to contribute the Monetary award of Two Hundred Thousand dollars that one crore thirty lakh rupees to the ????? ???? Fund,our effort to clean a river that is not only held sacred by all the people of India, but is also an economic life-line to millions of my countrymen and women.

Friends,

The Seoul Peace Prize was established to mark the success and spirit of the 24th Summer Olympics held in Seoul in 1988. India remembers the games quite well. Because they ended on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. The games showcased the best of Korean culture,the warmth of Korean hospitality, and the success of the Korean economy. And,not to forget, they marked the arrival of a new sporting power-house in the global arena! But,the games were also an important landmark in world history. The 1988 Olympics were held at a time of many changes in the world. The Iran-Iraq War had just ended. The Geneva Accords relating to the situation in Afghanistan had been signed earlier that year. The Cold War was ending, and there was great hope that a new golden age will soon Dawn. And for a while, it did. The world is better in many aspects today than it was in 1988 Global poverty has been steadily falling. Health-care and education outcomes have been improving. And yet, many daunting global challenges remain.Some are old, some new. A few months before the Seoul Olympics, the first public warnings about climate change were sounded.Today, it is recognized as a big threat to human-kind. A few weeks before the Seoul Olympics, an organization called Al-Qaeda was formed. Today, radicalization and terrorism have become globalized and are the biggest threats to global peace and security. And, millions of people around the world still remain without adequate and quality access to food, shelter,health-care, sanitation, power, and above all, dignity of life. Clearly, there is a lot more that needs to be done.The solution to the hard-ships we face is in hard work. And, India is doing her part. We have been working to improve the well being of the people of India – who form one-sixth of humanity. India is today the fastest growing large economy in the world with strong economic fundamentals. This has been possible because of the major economic changes that we have introduced. Flag-ship initiatives such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Clean India’ have contributed to visible socio-economic growth. We have focused on financial inclusion, access to credit, digital transactions, last mile connectivity, andsupport to small and medium enterprise so as to spread development across the country and enrich all the citizens of India. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is making India clean; From a sanitation coverage of around 38% in 2014, the number today stands at 98%! The Ujjwala Yojana is improving the lives of rural women through use of clean cooking fuel; Ayushman Bharat is providing health-care and insurance to 500 million poor and vulnerable people; and, Through these initiatives, and many more, we have contributed to holistic development and India’s march towards achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In all our efforts, we are guided by Mahatma Gandhi’s teaching that we should recall the face of the poorest and the weakest person that we have ever seen and ask ourselves if the step that we plan is going to be of any benefit to that person.

Friends,

India’s growth story is not only good for the people of India but also for the entire world. We live in an increasingly connected world. As the third largest economy, our growth and prosperity will inevitably contribute to global growth and development. We are committed to make a peaceful, stable and economically inter-linked world. India, as a responsible member of the international community, has also been in the fore-front of our collective fight against climate change. Despite having a historically low carbon foot-print, India has been playing an active role in the global fight against climate change. At the domestic level, this has been done by unveiling a National Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions, increase forest cover, and replacing traditional carbon fuels with renewable energy supplies. On the international plane, we have partnered with like-minded countries to launch the International Solar Alliance, which aims to harness the clean and unlimited solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. We are one of the largest troop contributing countries for UN peace-keeping operations. And, we are proud to have been able to contribute to peace on the Korean peninsula. We have extended a helping hand to countries in need and participated actively in humanitarian work and disaster relief. We have carried out operations in conflict zones and rescued not only Indians but also nationals of many other countries. We have been an active and considerate development partner for other developing countries, with our guiding principle being to help in developing their physical and social infrastructure. Through these efforts, we seek to ensure that the benefits of a globalised and inter-connected world are equally experienced by all. Over the past few years, my Government has renewed interaction and forged new partnerships across continents. In the East Asian context, we have redefined our engagements with countries in the region, including with Republic of Korea, under our Act East Policy. I am glad to hear an echo of our approach in President Moon’s New Southern Policy.

Friends,

India has been the land of peace for ages. The people of India have practiced the concept of peace and harmonious co-existence for thousands of years. With hundreds of languages and dialects, many states, and major religions, India is proud to be one of the most diverse nations in the world. We are proud that ours is a land where people of all faiths, beliefs, and communities can prosper. We are proud that ours is a society based not only on tolerance, but on celebration of differences and diverse cultures.

*Korean Kids Sing 'Vaishnav Jan To' To Honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi On Receiving Seoul Peace Prize

Friends,

Like Korea, India has also suffered the pain of cross-border strife. Our endeavour towards peaceful development has only too often been de-railed by cross-border terrorism. While India has been the victim of cross-border terrorism for over 40 years, all nations today face this grave threat which respects no borders. The time has come for all those who believe in humanity to join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks and their financing, supply channels, and to counter terrorist ideology and propaganda. Only by doing so can we replace hate with harmony; destruction with development; and, transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a post-card for peace.

Friends,

Progress over the past year towards peace on the Korean peninsula has been heartening. President Moon deserves all the praise for the role he has played in overcoming the legacy of mutual distrust and suspicion between the D.P.R.K. and the international community, and bringing them to the discussion table. This is no small achievement. I state again my Government’s strong support to the ongoing dialogue process between the two Koreas and between the U.S.A. and D.P.R.K.

As the popular Korean saying goes:

Shichagi Bhanida,

“A good beginning is half the battle”.

I have every confidence that with continued efforts from the Korean people, peace will soon prevail on the Korean Peninsula. Friends, I would like to end by quoting a portion of the 1988 Olympics Theme Song, because it perfectly captures the hopeful spirit for a better tomorrow for all of us: Hand in hand, we standAll across the land,We can make this world,A better place in which to live.

Gamsa Hamnida !

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

***

LAST WORDS : 

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Day 2 of the ET Global Business Summit 2019 in New Delhi Saturday. Speaking on 'Preparing India For the Future' before a packed audience, the PM said, "what happened in the past is not in our hands, but what will happen in the future is firmly in our hands. We often lament at missing the industrial revolutions in the past, but today it is a matter of pride that India is an active contributor to the 4th Industrial Revolution." .

2. TODAY  PM IS A WORLD LEADER, ALL NATIONS RESPECT US, OUR VIEWS ARE ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED NOW.

3. THOSE RASCALS ASSEMBLED IN AS MANY GROUPS OF GRAND ALLIANCES ARE FRAUDS, HIGHLY CORRUPTED, DO NOT HEAR THEIR HOULING.

JAI HIND

JAI BHARATHAM

VANDE MATARAM

BHARAT MATA KI JAI