Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, proclaimed that India has historically offered the world ‘Buddha’ (peace), not ‘Yuddha’ (war), signifying the nation’s enduring commitment to peace and prosperity. Speaking to the Indian community in Vienna, PM Modi underscored India’s ambitions in the 21st century, highlighting the country’s efforts to become a beacon of excellence and achievement on the global stage.
“For thousands of years, we have been sharing our knowledge and expertise. We didn’t give ‘Yuddha’ (war), we gave the world ‘Buddha’. India always gave peace and prosperity, and therefore India is going to strengthen its role in the 21st century,” stated PM Modi. This visit to Austria came a day after his departure from Moscow, where he emphasized the necessity of a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict during discussions with President Vladimir Putin.
Describing his first visit to Austria as “meaningful,” PM Modi noted the significance of the visit, marking the first time in 41 years that an Indian Prime Minister has traveled to the country. “This long wait has come to an end on a historic occasion. India and Austria are celebrating 75 years of their friendship,” he remarked.
PM Modi drew attention to the shared values and democratic principles that unite India and Austria, despite their geographical distances. “India and Austria are geographically on two different ends, but we have many similarities. Democracy connects both countries. Our shared values are liberty, equality, pluralism, and respect for the rule of law. Our societies are multicultural and multilingual. Both countries celebrate diversity, and a big medium to reflect these values are elections,” he elaborated, receiving enthusiastic chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ from the audience.
Highlighting the robustness of India’s democratic process, PM Modi reflected on the recently concluded general elections, where 650 million people exercised their right to vote. He praised the efficiency of India’s electoral system, noting that despite the massive scale of the election, the results were declared within hours. “It is the power of our electoral machinery and democracy,” he asserted.
The Indian diaspora in Austria, numbering over 31,000, includes more than 450 students, as per the Indian embassy in Vienna. PM Modi’s visit has reinforced the longstanding ties between the two nations, emphasizing mutual respect and collaboration in various fields.
The Prime Minister’s address not only celebrated the historical and cultural ties between India and Austria but also projected a vision of a peaceful and prosperous future driven by shared democratic values and mutual respect.