‘India will now see eye-to-eye with the world’: PM Modi says his 2013 foreign policy vision is now a reality

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a podcast conversation with US influencer and AI researcher Lex Fridman, reflecting on his journey in politics and diplomacy, shared insights into the core principles of India's foreign policy. Speaking about his early days as a prime ministerial candidate in 2013, PM Modi recounted the skepticism he faced regarding his understanding of global geopolitics. Critics, he said, questioned his ability to navigate foreign policy, labeling him as merely a state leader.

Facing early skepticism

“My critics often tried to corner me on one point. It became a topic of widespread discussion—Modi is nothing more than a state leader. What does he know of foreign policy? Does he even understand global geopolitics?” PM Modi recounted.

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PM Modi’s response to critics

In response to these doubts, PM Modi said he articulated a vision that has since become the cornerstone of his foreign policy approach. He has reaffirmed India’s foreign policy stance, emphasising that the country will neither look down upon others nor allow itself to be looked down upon. He stated, "India will neither allow itself to be looked down upon, nor will it ever look up to anyone. India will now see eye-to-eye with her counterparts." This belief, rooted in mutual respect and equality, continues to guide India's interactions on the global stage, he stressed.

India’s foreign policy vision

He asserted that this belief, formed in 2013, still remains at the heart of India’s foreign policy. “For me, the country always comes first. However, to belittle someone or speaking ill of others is neither part of my cultural values nor my traditions. Moreover, our culture upholds and advocates for the welfare of mankind,” he added.

Gandhi’s timeless relevance

Prime Minister Modi humbly addressed Lex Fridman’s comparison of him to Mahatma Gandhi, emphasising the timeless relevance of Gandhi’s legacy. PM Modi remarked, "Mahatma Gandhi wasn’t just a 20th-century leader. His relevance transcends centuries. Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy will last for centuries to come, and he remains relevant to date." He underscored that his strength comes from India’s 1.4 billion people. He also highlighted his own responsibility, stating, “I am nowhere near as great as my country, and my strength lies not in my name, but in the backing of 1.4 billion Indians and thousands of years of timeless culture and heritage.”

Global cooperation and shared responsibility

PM Modi stressed India’s long-standing philosophy of global peace and brotherhood, citing initiatives he introduced on the world stage.

“For example, I spoke about the environment in one of my speeches. I proposed the concept of One Sun, One World, One Grid. During the COVID pandemic, I delivered a speech at the G20 summit. I put forth the vision of One Health, where humans and nature would live in harmony,” he said.

India hosted the G20 Summit under the theme, “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” Modi noted, “We have inherited this timeless wisdom and it’s our duty to share it with the world.”

Global interdependence

Acknowledging the interconnectedness of the modern world, PM Modi stressed, “No country can thrive in isolation. Today we all depend upon one another. No one can make it far by themselves.”

The need for a modernised global order

PM Modi also highlighted the challenges posed by outdated global institutions.

“We must also understand that the world has become one small village today. No country can thrive in isolation. Today we all depend upon one another,” he explained.

He pointed out the limitations of organisations like the United Nations. “Organizations like the United Nations came into being after the First World War, but they failed to evolve with the times, and this inability to adapt has sparked a global debate on their relevance,” he said.