Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India’s role will be crucial in accelerating global growth, promoting global peace, advancing climate action, closing the global skills gap, driving innovation, and stabilising the global supply chain.

“Bharat (India) is emerging as a new catalyst on the global stage, and its influence will be felt across all sectors,” Modi said while addressing the Indian Diaspora in New York.

Touching upon India’s foreign policy, the prime minister said the country’s partnerships are expanding globally adding that previously, India followed a policy of Equal Distance, “but now it embraces a policy of Equal Proximity”.

“We are also becoming a strong voice for the Global South. You may have noticed that, due to Bharat’s initiative, the African Union was granted permanent membership at the G20 Summit. Today, when Bharat speaks on the global stage, the world listens. Not long ago, when I said “This is not the era of war, the gravity of the statement was understood worldwide”, he said.

Modi stressed that India’s priority is not to impose its dominance but to enhance its influence.

“We are not like fire that burns; we are like the sun’s rays that provide light. We do not seek to dominate the world but to contribute to its prosperity. Whether it’s promoting yoga, advocating for superfood millets, or championing the Mission LiFE vision (Lifestyle for the Environment), Bharat is prioritizing human-centric growth alongside GDP-centric growth. I urge you all to promote Mission LiFE as much as possible here. Small changes in our lifestyle can have a significant positive impact on the environment,” the Prime Minister said.

Noting that India is one of the first countries to respond whenever there is a crisis anywhere in the world, Modi said, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we sent vaccines and medicines to over 150 countries. Whether it was an earthquake, a cyclone, or a civil war, we were among the first to offer assistance. This is a reflection of the values and teachings passed down by our ancestors.”

Hailing the Indian Diaspora, the prime minister called them ‘Rashtradoot’ (nation’s emissaries) who have connected the US to India and India to the US.

“I’ve always recognized the strength of the Indian diaspora. Even when I held no official post, I understood it, and I understand it today. You have always been Bharat’s strongest brand ambassador for me. That’s why I call you the ‘Rashtradoot’ (nation’s emissaries). You’ve connected America to Bharat and Bharat to America,” Modi said.

“Your skills, talent, and commitment are unparalleled. Though you’ve crossed seven seas, no ocean is deep enough to separate you from the Bharat that resides in your hearts. What Maa Bharti has taught us, we can never forget. Wherever we go, we treat everyone like family. Embracing diversity, living it, and integrating it into our lives—these are our values, embedded in our very being,” he said.

“For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but I believe AI stands for America-India. This America-India spirit is the AI power of the new world, elevating Bharat-America relations. I salute all of you, the Indian diaspora,” the Prime Minister said.

Expressing gratitude towards US President Joe Biden for inviting him to his home in Delaware, Modi said, “This honour is for 140 crore Indians, for your hard work, for the millions of Indians living here.”

During the event, PM Modi announced that India has decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles.

He said the partnership between India and the United States is growing stronger by the day.

“Our collaboration is for the benefit of the world. We are enhancing cooperation across all sectors, and your convenience has been taken into account as well. Last year, I announced that our government would open a new Consulate in Seattle, which has now become operational. I had also sought your suggestions for the opening of two more consulates, and I am pleased to inform you that, based on your feedback, Bharat has decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles,” Modi said.

The prime minister also announced the establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Chair for Tamil Studies at the University of Houston. “This will further help in propagating the philosophy of the great Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar to the world,” he said.

Modi also coined a new abbreviation ‘PUSHP’ as a new mantra for ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).

“You’ll remember one word: PUSHP (flower). Yes, consider it a lotus, I have no objections. PUSHP, and I define this PUSHP. P for Progressive Bharat, U for Unstoppable Bharat, S for Spiritual Bharat, H for Humanity First Bharat, and P for Prosperous Bharat. Together, these five petals of PUSHP will shape a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India),” the Prime Minister said.