US State Secretary Antony Blinken has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his policies and programs giving fruitful results to the people of India and its allies. Blinken praises the prohibition of child labor, initiatives taken by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Speaking at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos, Switzerland on January 17, Blinken also highlighted strong and strategic partnership between US and India, and the shared values of democracy and human rights.
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Blinken calls it an "extraordinary success story" and a "global leader" who has done well in quite a few areas like economic growth, infrastructure development, reduction of poverty, healthcare, education, innovation, and renewable energy.
He said that Modi has been instrumental in bringing forward these achievements and in implementing policies and programme that have "materially benefited and positively affected" millions of Indians, and many of the allies.
Blinken highlighted some of Modi's programmes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, which has delivered sanitation and hygiene to over 600 million people; the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which has provided health insurance for more than 500 million people; the Digital India programme, which exapnded internet and digital access to over 1.2 billion people; as well as the International Solar Alliance that mobilised global collaboration and investments into solar energy.
Blinken, in turn, thanked Modi for his leadership and vision in dealing with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that has thrown up novel challenges before the world. He said that Modi has shown 'remarkable resilience and resolve' in tackling the crisis and ensuring the health and safety of the Indian people.
He also lauded Modi for endowing vaccines and other medical items to more than 150 countries, including to the U.S., and his active participation in Quad, a strategic grouping of the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia, which has coordinated efforts to combat the pandemic and support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Blinken underscores US-India partnership
Blinken also underscored the importance and the strength of the US-India partnership being based on "shared interests, shared values, and shared aspirations". He said the US and India have a "natural affinity" and a "common vision" of "peaceful, prosperous, and democratic countries".
He said that the US and India are cooperating on a wide range of issues covering trade, investment, defence, security, counter-terrorism, climate change, health, education, science, technology, and innovation.
Blinken told CNN that the President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi share "excellent relations" and do have "very close and very frequent" dialogue that covers every aspect of the bilateral, regional, and international agenda.
He noted out that Biden and Modi enjoy a "deep personal bond," as well as a "mutual respect," arising from leaders' long and distinguished careers in public life and having faced similar challenges besides being propelled by similar values. He said that Biden and Modi have a "common goal" of advancing the welfare of their people and the world.
Blinken also said the US and India have a conversation "very real and very sustained" on democracy and human rights which are fundamentals "to both of our countries and to the world". He had said US and India are "proud and vibrant democracies" which espouse the rule of law, the freedom of expression, the freedom of religion, and indisputably, the protection of minorities.
He stressed that the US and India "are always learning from each other," and "always striving to improve" democratic institutions and practices. He said the US and India are "partners in democracy" and "partners in progress".
Blinken ends in optimism and confidence
He concluded his speech by stating that the 2 presidents were "more convinced than ever" of the future of the relationship and that it is not a normal one, but rather "one of the most consequential and most important". He said the US and India have a "tremendous opportunity" and a "tremendous responsibility" to work together to address the common challenges — and seizing the common opportunities — that face the world in the 21st century.
He said the US and India have a "unique and special" partnership that can enable them in "making excellence happen" and creating an impact "in the world of the 21st century".
Blinken said he looked forward to continuing the dialogue and cooperation with Prime Minister Modi and his government and advancing further the friendship and partnership between the two countries.
He said that he has faith that the US and India will "keep growing stronger together" and "keep leading together" to the betterment of their peoples, and for the world. He also said that he is proud to call India a "friend" and "partner" of the US. –(IVNTV)