Evian, June 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Tuesday that mutual trust is the greatest strategic asset in today’s world. He shared his insights during the outreach session of the G7 summit held in Evian, France.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Prime Minister highlighted that energy, food security, health, cybersecurity, and economic security are interconnected in today’s global landscape. Therefore, establishing strong partnerships among nations is crucial for the progress and prosperity of humanity.
In a post on X, he remarked, “The world is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. This makes the topic even more significant, but any partnership can only succeed if it is built on a foundation of trust.”
He pointed out that in today’s uncertain world, trade and technology are often used for narrow self-interests, leading to a lack of trust at the international level.
He noted, “Today, mutual trust is the most important strategic asset. Unfortunately, the world struggles not due to a lack of resources, but due to a lack of trust. The future of our partnerships will depend on how we can rebuild this trust.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that India believes in ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ or viewing the entire world as one family. His experience has shown that development is most effective when it aligns with people’s aspirations and needs.
He reiterated that India has always adhered to the principle of ‘humanity first,’ which remains central to all its efforts today.
According to the Prime Minister, this philosophy underpins many of India’s international initiatives, such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuels Alliance, Mission ‘LIFE,’ and the ‘One Tree for Every Mother’ campaign.
He mentioned that due to this inclusive mindset, India has been among the first countries to provide assistance during natural disasters across the globe. Whether it was a cyclone in Sri Lanka, an earthquake in Afghanistan, floods in Mozambique, or a storm in Jamaica, India has always extended a helping hand.
Discussing India’s journey towards inclusive and sustainable development, the Prime Minister stated that the mantra ‘Sarva Jan Hitaaya, Sarva Jan Sukhaaya’ has been crucial in advancing the nation. This approach has yielded positive results in financial inclusion, health security, digital identity, empowering people through technology, and women-led development.
He remarked, “India believes that the true test of a partnership is not what we create for others, but what we enable them to create for themselves. Our development partnerships reflect this spirit. We have focused on capacity building and skill development in our partner countries.”
The Prime Minister noted that the Global South has high expectations from the world and seeks not just aid but equitable partnerships.
He stated, “We need to move beyond the mindset of donors and recipients and work as equal partners. We must walk together, not just side by side. Partnerships should be based on respect, not dependency.”
He also referenced India’s initiatives in Africa, highlighting that India is working in areas such as training, capacity building, water resources, agriculture, and energy.
The Prime Minister concluded, “These efforts are enhancing the capabilities of African nations and helping them find solutions to the world’s major challenges.”
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