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In a world of new security challenges & economic uncertainties, BRICS stands as a beacon of peace, potential & promise: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | October 16, 2016 | 15:20 IST
In a world of new security challenges & economic uncertainties, BRICS stands as a beacon of peace, potential & promise: PM Modi
We should set ourselves a target to double intra-BRICS to US Dollars five hundred billion by 2020: PM Modi
Terrorism casts a long shadow on our development and economic prosperity: PM Modi

Your Excellency President Xi Jinping,
Your Excellency President Jacob Zuma,
Your Excellency President Michel Temer,
Your Excellency President Vladimir Putin,

Distinguished Delegates,

I join 1.25 billion Indians in once again extending a very warm welcome to all of you in Goa for the eighth (8th) BRICS Summit.

I am honoured to chair the BRICS Leaders’ Plenary Meeting. Our exchanges earlier during the day were productive.

This session should build on them and deliberate on a pro-active agenda of action for BRICS.

The footprint of intra-BRICS engagement has expanded over time to include large areas of economic activity.

The scope of our partnership today stretches from agriculture to industry and innovation; trade to tourism; environment to energy; films to football; skill development to smart cities; and from fighting corruption and money laundering to securing our societies.

This year, we have taken BRICS to our cities and provinces and linked it directly to our people from different walks of life.

Excellencies,

We are celebrating 10 years of our partnership under BRICS. A decade of collaboration has produced strong benefits of cooperation.

We are entitled to take pride in our initiatives and achievements.

The establishment of New Development Bank and the Contingency Reserve Arrangement are indeed signature achievements.

In a world of new security challenges and continuing economic uncertainties, BRICS stands as a beacon of peace potential and promise.

Our work holds much meaning for the developing world.

In the past year, BRICS have played an active role in shaping the global agenda for change and development.

Our association with Agenda 2030, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development has been purposeful and productive.

And, we remain at the forefront of pushing change in the global governance architectures.

Excellencies,

While our achievements have been substantial, we need to sustain the positive direction and strong momentum of intra-BRICS engagement.

We also need to add more content to it.

Let me offer some thoughts for your consideration.

First, the process of institution building in BRICS must continue to remain a focus area.

The institutions that we build must support the development of our countries and regions.

They should enable greater flexibility and freedom, and offer wider choices in responding to our developmental priorities.

We look forward to translating into reality the idea of a BRICS Credit Rating Agency.

We must also speed up the work on setting up BRICS Agriculture Research Centre, BRICS Railway Research Network, and BRICS Sports Council.

There is also a clear need to build norms, create structures and pool our capacities to stop tax evasion, and fight against black money and corruption.

Our agencies must also build mechanisms of information sharing to bring to justice the tax offenders and money launderers.

BRICS should push for empowering the global governance institutions to reflect today's reality.

Second, transform the quantum and quality of trade and investment linkages among BRICS.

In 2015, intra-BRICS trade stood at about 250 billion US Dollars.

We should set ourselves a target to double this number to US Dollars five hundred billion by 2020.

This requires businesses and industry in all five countries to scale up their engagement.

And, for governments to facilitate this process to the fullest. Our agreement on a tax and custom cooperation framework is a good start.

The BRICS Trade Fair and Exhibition just concluded in New Delhi should become a regular platform for business exchanges.

And, the BRICS New Development Bank must play an active role to support this objective.

It can also help integrate our SMEs into global value chains. We must also coordinate closely to preserve the central role of the Doha Development Round and the WTO.

Alongside, we should increase our cooperation and convergence at the G-20, WTO and other fora.

India has tabled a draft of the Trade Facilitation Agreement for Services at the WTO.

It seeks to maximize the benefits of services liberalization and trade to the developing countries.

A strong BRICS support to this proposal will be in our collective economic interest.

Third, focus on key priorities of our economic transformations.

Urbanization, infrastructure and innovation represent the key focus areas for BRICS economies.

Under India’s Chairmanship, we have placed emphasis on digital- technology, smart-cities, urbanization, and cooperation between our cities.

The next billion internet users will come from emerging markets.

Our cooperation must grab this opportunity to transform the basic structure of our economies.

Fourth, secure our societies.

In the world we inhabit today, security and counter-terrorism cooperation is necessary if we are to secure the lives of our citizens.

Terrorism casts a long shadow on our development and economic prosperity.

Its reach is now global. It has grown more lethal and adept at the use of technology.

Our response to terrorism must, therefore, be nothing less than comprehensive.

And, we need to act both individually and collectively. Selective approaches to terrorist individuals and organizations will not only be futile but also counter-productive.

There must be no distinction based on artificial and self-serving grounds.

Criminality should be the only basis for punitive action against the individuals and organizations responsible for carrying out terrorist acts.

Terrorist funding, their weapons supply, training and political support must be systematically cut off.

In this respect, we need to deepen the security cooperation between our National Security Advisors.

Early adoption of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism will be an expression of our resolve to fight this menace.

Fifth, thriving people-to-people exchanges is the lifeblood of BRICS.

It brings vibrancy and richness to our partnership.

We have chosen to highlight this dimension this year.

The BRICS Films Festival, Trade Fair, Tourism Convention, Sports Council, Football Tournament and other related activities will help in creating millions of young stakeholders that will ultimately carry our partnership forward.

Excellencies,

I am eager to hear from my fellow BRICS leaders on their vision for a stronger, deeper and vibrant BRICS community.

I thank you for your attention.

Thank you.

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PM Modi addressed a public rally in Nadia, West Bengal through video conferencing after being unable to attend the programme physically due to adverse weather conditions. He sought forgiveness from the people, stating that dense fog made it impossible for the helicopter to land safely. Earlier today, the PM also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works in Ranaghat, a major way forward towards West Bengal’s growth story.

The PM expressed deep grief over a mishap involving BJP karyakartas travelling to attend the rally. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

PM Modi said that Nadia is the sacred land where Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the embodiment of love, compassion and devotion, manifested himself. He noted that the chants of Harinaam Sankirtan that once echoed across villages and along the banks of the Ganga were not merely expressions of devotion, but a powerful call for social unity.

He highlighted the immense contribution of the Matua community in strengthening social harmony, recalling the teachings of Shri Harichand Thakur, the social reform efforts of Shri Guruchand Thakur, and the motherly compassion of Boro Maa. He bowed to all these revered figures for their lasting impact on society.

The PM said that Bengal and the Bengali language have made invaluable contributions to India’s history and culture, with Vande Mataram being one of the nation’s most powerful gifts. He noted that the country is marking 150 years of Vande Mataram and that Parliament has recently paid tribute to this iconic song. He said West Bengal is the land of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, whose creation of Vande Mataram awakened national consciousness during the freedom struggle.

He stressed that Vande Mataram should inspire a Viksit Bharat and awaken the spirit of a Viksit West Bengal, adding that this sacred idea forms the BJP’s roadmap for the state.

PM Modi said BJP-led governments are focused on policies that enhance the strength and capabilities of every citizen. He cited the GST Savings Festival as an example, noting that essential goods were made affordable, enabling families in West Bengal to celebrate Durga Puja and other festivals with joy.

He also highlighted major investments in infrastructure, mentioning the approval of two important highway projects that will improve connectivity between Kolkata and Siliguri and strengthen regional development.

The PM said the nation wants fast-paced development and referred to Bihar’s recent strong mandate in favour of the BJP-NDA. He recalled stating that the Ganga flows from Bihar to Bengal and that Bihar has shown the path for BJP’s victory in West Bengal as well.

He said that while Bihar has decisively rejected jungle raj, West Bengal must now free itself from what he described as Maha Jungle Raj. Referring to the popular slogan, he said the state is calling out, “Bachte Chai, BJP Tai.”

The PM emphasised that there is no shortage of funds, intent or schemes for West Bengal’s development, but alleged that projects worth thousands of crores are stalled due to corruption and commissions. He appealed to the people to give BJP a chance and form a double-engine government to witness rapid development.

He cautioned people to remain alert against what he described as TMC’s conspiracies, alleging that the party is focused on protecting infiltrators. He said that whenever BJP raises concerns over infiltration, TMC leaders respond with abuse, which also explains their opposition to SIR in West Bengal.

Concluding his address, PM Modi said West Bengal needs a BJP government that works at double speed to restore the state’s pride. He assured that he would speak in greater detail about BJP’s vision when he visits the state in person.