External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attributed the
socioeconomic revolution India underwent in the past decade to the leadership
of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The EAM, who is on an official visit to UK,
acknowledged the transformations in the world, UK, and the evolving Bharat-UK
relationship and also emphasised the pivotal role played by PM Modi in shaping
the nation’s trajectory.
Outlining the significant impact of PM Modi’s
initiatives over the last decade, EAM Jaishankar emphasised that the cumulative
effect of these efforts has led to a socioeconomic revolution in Bharat.
“I began by saying the world has changed, our
relationship has changed, UK has changed, and Bharat has changed. So, you may
ask me what has changed in Bharat. You know the answer. The answer is Modi,”
said EAM Jaishankar while addressing a Diwali reception in London.
He elaborated on a range of transformative policies,
including Beti Padhao Beti Bachao, Jandhan Yojana, Awas Yojana, Digital India,
Startup India, and Skill India campaigns.
“The long answer actually lies in this range of
initiatives that all of you have heard about for the last ten years.
Initiatives like Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao; initiatives about building toilets
for girls, about the Jandhan Yojana, the financial inclusion, about building
houses, the Awas Yojana…
And these other campaigns…Digital India
campaign…the Startup India campaign, the Skill India campaign…it is when
you connect these dots, it’s really when you see the cumulative impact of all
of this on the lives of people, that is the change which is underway in India,”
the EAM added.
Jaishankar reflected on the comprehensive changes
witnessed in the past ten years, noting that the government, nearing the
completion of its second term next year, has created almost as many new
universities and colleges as the country had in the previous 65 years.
“So, when we look at the last ten years, because by
next year the government would be completing its second term. These ten years
have actually been a socioeconomic revolution in Bharat…we have actually
created almost as many new universities and colleges in the last ten years as
the country had in the previous 65 years,” he said.
Addressing the evolving Bharat-UK relationship, Jaishankar
expressed the need to reframe the partnership in light of the profound changes
in both nations.
He emphasised the importance of preparing for a
contemporary era and exploring new convergences to unlock the unrealized
potential between Bharat and UK.
“We are today trying to reframe the relationship
between Bharat and UK. We are trying to do so because, in the last many
decades, our two countries have each changed profoundly.
We have changed in ourselves, our relationships, our
linkages and approaches to the world; therefore, it is important that we
prepare a partnership for a contemporary era in which we look to explore new
convergences to see if there is unrealistic potential out there…,” said Jaishankar.
EAM Jaishankar arrived in Britain on Saturday and will
conclude his visit on November 15.
ANI
