MEA takes question on PM Modi’s Norway visit | Full Press Conference

0:00 We arrived today morning. And was as a special gesture, he was received at the airport by the honorable Prime Minister of uh Norway. And then I will go over the program a little while, but let me uh focus on one important aspect of the visit. The visit was marked by a special milestone in India-Norway bilateral relationship as the leaders have elevated the bilateral relationship to a green strategic partnership to provide a strategic dimension to the collaboration in climate action renewable energy resilient supply chains green technologies and blue economy.

0:48 Today uh after arrival in later in the afternoon Prime Minister Modi had an audience with His Majesty the King. The discussions reflected on the long-standing friendship and mutual respect and strong people-to-people ties between India and Norway. His Majesty hosted a lunch in honor of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for His Majesty's support in strengthening India-Norway relationship and extended an invitation for a visit to India by His Majesty on a mutually convenient date.

1:32 Prime Minister also invited His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who was present at the lunch, also to visit India along with [clears throat] a business delegation. In a rare special rare and special gesture Prime Minister was conferred upon the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by His Majesty. This is the highest degree of award in the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.

2:04 It was conferred upon Prime Minister for his outstanding service in the interest of the India-Norway relations and the mankind. Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude and dedicated the award to the people of India and the enduring friendship between India and Norway. Prime Minister also had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, the Prime Minister of Norway.

2:34 Both a one-on-one meeting and also a delegation-level talks covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments of mutual interest. They noted the progress in the bilateral cooperation substantially across sectors such as trade and investment green transition renewable energy blue economy maritime including shipbuilding research and innovation education health care digital technologies Arctic research space and and people-to-people exchanges.

3:20 The visit witnessed substantive outcomes encompassing multiple areas. Both sides concluded a wide-ranging set of government-to-government government-to-business and business-to-business agreements and memorandum of understandings. These covered key sectors such as space cooperation digital public infrastructure, health scientific research tunneling technology, ocean energy, offshore wind, sustainability, geosciences, and advanced industrial technologies.

4:03 We will be uploading the list of these MOUs and agreements on MEA website. Please, I would invite you to go through that and you know, these are very important deliverables which has been agreed to. I would like to summarize the outcome of today's visit in two categories. Two broad categories, of course.

4:33 The green and the blue. [clears throat] Green and the blue. What What does that mean? The green strategic partnership promotes our shared aim to combat climate change, create new green industries and jobs, accelerate the green energy transition while maintaining energy security, strengthen circular economy, encourage investments, you know, everything related to green.

5:05 That is green hydrogen, green technology, green shipping, so so many related very important things. As you know, India is focusing a lot today on renewable energy. We have set a target for 500 gigawatt of renewable energy by 2030, which is a major achievement, and 5 million tons of hydrogen, green hydrogen by 2030. These are very important targets which we have set. And these targets are again part of, you know, let us look at the bigger picture.

5:44 It is part of that journey which we have, the biggest in Bharat journey which Prime Minister has given the vision for the country. By 2047, when we become a 100 year old independent country, we are looking at a biggest in Bharat, a developed India. So, in that process one of the important element is to focus on renewable energy and that is what we are doing. So, when I mentioned about the green, this is what I have in mind. We also welcome an investment announcement by the Norwegian climate investment fund of an initial amount of I'm told we have an amount now.

6:22 Or it's being discussed. It's being discussed, okay. So, the leaders also discussed ways to connect Norwegian niche technologies with the Indian scale in areas such as offshore wind, green hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and green shipping which I mentioned. The MOU signed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research with the Research Council of Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Foundation of Industrial and Technical Research are excellent developments in the in this direction.

7:02 Now, let me move on to blue which I mentioned. Blue economy today, you know, we all hear about it, but we have been able to make some concrete progress in that regard as well. As leading maritime nations, we welcome the decision by Norway to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. As you know, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative is a very important initiative taken by honorable Prime Minister a few years back and it has been many countries have been joining this as part of the part of our engagement with these countries in Indo-Pacific. Underscoring the expanding maritime and blue economy partnership between our two countries.

7:46 To build upon the blue economic cooperation, India has also decided to set up a shipping pavilion in the at the North Shipping 2027, which will be held in in Norway. Recognizing the ambitious maritime Amrit Kal vision 2047 of India, both leaders have called upon called for scaling of the blue economy partnership, including in ship building, green shipping, ship recycling, developing port infrastructure, training of seafarers, fisheries, aquaculture, and greening of ports. So, I covered both the green and the blue. Let me now touch upon some of the MOUs which we have signed, particularly the G2G MOUs at the G2G level. Important MOUs were signed between ISRO, Indian Space Research Organization, and the Norwegian Space Agency on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space between the >> [groaning] >> Also, another agreement between the foreign ministries on digital development partnership, including triangular cooperation in digital public infrastructure in third countries. And between the Ministry of Health Ministries of Health of the two countries to strengthen collaboration in healthcare and public health systems.

9:14 So, we have covered focusing on if you know, as I mentioned, it is also part of our Viksit Bharat journey. One of the important elements of that is the treaties. Trade, technology, trade and investment, technology, and you know, people-to-people connect, basically. Also covering talent. So, each one of these were covered and discussed. An agreement has also been signed on cooperation [snorts] in tunnel construction. Tunneling Norway is quite unique with um uh technology. So, we have discussed it and a cooperation agreement was also signed. Slope stability and capacity building, which is expected to significantly contribute to infrastructure development in India's mountainous and strategic regions.

10:07 Norwegian tunnel and technology is also tested, as you are aware, in the Chardham project in India during the construction of the Rishikesh Karnaprayag railway line. Uh another important area, which again, you know, we can say either it is part of the blue color which I mentioned or perhaps you could even call it a white color, uh is the dimension of partnership uh in the Arctic Ocean uh region. Prime Minister uh appreciated Norway's support for India's Arctic research activities, including at the Himadri research station in Svalbard.

10:51 Both sides agreed to undertake more joint expeditions and research initiatives in the Antarctic in the Arctic research. Now, let me touch upon uh the business event which was held later in the evening. Prime Minister Modi, together with the Prime Minister of Norway and also the Crown Prince, uh his his highness the Crown Prince, addressed the high-level business research summit held in the iconic Oslo City Hall.

11:27 The leaders underscored that the entry into force of the India-EFTA Trade Pact on 1st of October last year marks a new beginning in the relationship and expressed confidence that the agreement would significantly strengthen the treaties which I mentioned earlier. The business summit brought together CEOs of leading companies and more than 250 high-level participants from the Indian and Norwegian businesses, uh industry and research communities. In addition to the high-level session, four separate thematic events were also organized focusing on healthcare, maritime, uh batteries, and offshore wind. You know, these are again very important areas in the in the transformation in the economic transformation that is happening in India.

12:25 In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India's strong economic momentum, reform-driven growth, and expanding opportunities in sectors such as green energy, maritime industries, innovation and startups. He invited the greater Norwegian invited greater Norwegian participation in India's green transition, uh infrastructure, and clean tech ecosystem. Industry leaders expressed confidence in India's long-term prospects, and several B2B agreements were concluded in clean technologies, hydrogen, shipbuilding, digital solutions, medical services, medical devices, and innovation platforms. See, it is innovation, technology, the complementarity between India and Norway, innovation, technology, and the scale.

13:21 So, it's a win-win situation for both the countries, and that is exactly what both the leaders have addressed today. And later in the evening a gala dinner was also hosted by Prime Minister in honor of Prime Minister Mr. Modi which just got over. So, let me conclude here. I wanted to summarize saying that it was a very highly substantive and productive visit and imparted fresh momentum to India-Norway relationship under the forward-looking framework of green strategy partnership. As you know, our trade and investment have been quite considerable. There the FDA FDI uh you know, last year alone was around $1 billion uh dollars. And the global pension fund investment from Norway is to the tune of $28 billion.

14:16 One of the highest uh and in terms of trade also we have seen considerable increase in the trade in the last few years. So, I'll I'll stop it here. I'll be happy to answer your questions. Thank you. With that we open the floor. So, Siddhant, you go first. I am Siddhant from WION. I am Siddhant from WION. One of the Hi, sir.

14:48 The big focus has been shipping as an area of cooperation. What are the practical aspects we are looking with Norway when it comes to shipping? Akhilesh. >> [clears throat] >> Sir, I am Akhilesh Suman from DD News. Uh is this the first time that India has signed a strategic green partnership with any country? And also that you told about cooperation in health. So, what will it it incorporate about health between the two countries.

15:23 Manish. Manish Chand, India Writes Network. Sir, you spoke [clears throat] in great detail about green and blue aspects of the partnership. Uh my question is about the strategic and global partnership. Uh Prime Minister Norway spoke very passionate about passionately about uh working together to promote and defend uh rules-based international order. You also spoke against the weaponization of everything. Yeah? So, I'm just trying to wonder, and of course, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, in what concrete ways India and Norway will work in the Indo-Pacific and also in the multilateral arena. Thank you.

16:09 Jessica. Thank you, sir. I'm uh Jessica for Doordarshan. Uh On May 12th, an LNG tanker had arrived from uh Norway to India. Can we expect uh any more, you know, engagement in terms of energy cooperation? Yes, renewable energy has been a focus, but apart from that, are we also looking at uh other aspects of it? Mhm. Okay. We'll come back for more. We can So, we can take these questions and then come back for more.

16:41 >> you. Uh Siddhant, about your question on uh shipping, very important area. Shipping has been a key area of collaboration with uh Norway. Norwegian ship owners have used Cochin Shipyard for shipping orders for several years, vessel deliveries, and emerging uh repair partnerships. Uh along with Udupi and uh Chowgule Shipyards, uh they are building a series of eco-friendly, future-proof dry cargo vessels for Norway. Around 10% of ships ordered by members of the Norwegian Shipowners Association are now built in India.

17:27 Recently, Norwegian companies have placed orders for ships to be manufactured at Swan Defense and Heavy Industries Limited in the at the Pipavav facility in Gujarat. The Indian side has invited Norway's cooperation with the national maritime heritage complex at Lothal, again in in Gujarat. So, we we are talking about quite a very forward-looking engagement in the shipping sector. Now, when I bring it to the context of green technology, we are looking at green shipping. And also, we are looking at even ship recycling. So, there are several areas on both sides would be working together.

18:20 And Norway, as you know, is a maritime country. India is a maritime country. I remember His Excellency the Prime Minister today kept on saying that in terms of coastal line, Norway is bigger than India. In fact, India is also a country with a huge coastal line, and same is the case with uh Norway. So, there is a lot we can do together in shipping shipping industry, and that is exactly what we are doing. Thank you.

18:50 Now, second question on green partnership, uh my additional secretary tells me that we have one green partnership agreement also with strategic partnership with Denmark. Yes. Yeah. So, I I at least that's what I remember at this stage. You also spoke about health. >> Health, yeah. Okay.

19:20 Okay. So, we have actually signed a a MOU between the Norwegian Ministry of Health and the Care Services and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India on cooperation the field of health. What will it include? Yeah, I'll come to that. I'll come to that. It aims to develop an action plan and establish a joint working group to expand health partnership by having hospitals and research institutes share knowledge and run joint projects. So, we will have a joint working group set up which will come up with a joint action plan which would come up with concrete ideas on how to go about it. And so, this is the beginning of a a journey which would bring our two countries together for cooperation in the health field. As you know, India is one of the you know, we call India the pharmacy of the world.

20:22 Largest supplier of medicine generic medicine to the world. You remember during the COVID-19 pandemic India had supplied India was one of the major producers of vaccines. We were able to vaccinate everyone not once, but twice within made in India vaccines. Not only that, we supplied vaccines to more than 100 countries. We also >> [cough] >> supplied medicine related to COVID and other medicines at that point of time to more than 150 countries.

20:58 There were countries and there were several countries who would not have been able to have vaccines but for India supplying them. So, that is that is India's background and farmer we are doing very well. So, let me tell you pharmaceuticals issue was also came up during the discussions at the highest level today. So, this is an important area and we are in the right track. Thank you. You mentioned about rule-based uh international order. You listened to the speeches by both the prime ministers. See, what does India bring to the table?

21:34 India bring to the table brings to the table a country which believes in rule of law. We have always been following rules wherever it is. We play by the book. So, and that is what India's reputation. So, when it comes to international order, we will definitely be following the rule of law, international rule-based order. And one of the important objectives of the Indo-Pacific initiative, you know, Indian Indo-Pacific Oceans initiative uh was to build that rule-based order.

22:12 So, there are seven pillars of this and multiple countries have rejoined it. So, So, we are again, let me tell you this is in the right direction. India is taking the lead in having a constructive engagement with each of our partners and like-minded countries to ensure that there is rule-based order in the world and also ensure resilient supply chains in the region and beyond.

22:51 Yeah, you you rightly noticed the LNG tanker arrival. This is again today in the business meeting, you know, the the company which was Equinor had mentioned about this. So, we are again partners in energy security, energy cooperation. There would be more ships, there would be more engagement, more business. So, you know, as you know, India is a country which needs energy. So, we will have energy from countries which have energy. So, this is a partnership. But I say emphasized earlier, we are in a march to becomes a green energy focused country to renewable energy. The emphasis we attaches to green hydrogen and other areas, the solar energy, wind energy, and we are also initiated the international solar alliance. So, there are so many areas which which we work with the objective of making India a green energy renewable energy focused country. Again, let us not forget the target we have set, 500 gigawatts of green energy by 2030. It's a major target which we are and we are in the right direction.

24:13 So, thank you. Mhm. I can take one more round of questions. >> So, we have more questions? Go first. Behind? Yeah. Hi sir, I'm Arun from DD News. Uh just two quick questions. First is about the green strategic partnership. So, under the umbrella of green strategic partnership, what are the commitments that we can expect by both the sides to achieve this partnership or what we can expect under this? Second sir, today the the Norwegian leadership also talked about and loaded the the India's digital or the IT efforts or the the initiatives. And there's an agreement on India-Norway digital development partnership. What do we expect under this digital development partnership? Is UPI on the cards or what exactly can we expect in this agreement sir?

25:03 Swasthi I'm Swasthi Heather from The Hindu. Prime Minister star referred on two occasions today to differences between India and Norway. He said quote unquote that we don't see eye to eye on on certain issues and no two countries do. I wanted to ask you what your understanding of those differences were. He certainly seemed to indicate some of them had to do with the policy on Russia and what if you could just throw some light on what discussions took place there. The second is you know we heard your press conference there in the Netherlands as well. It seems that on two occasions during this visit you've been confronted by questions about Prime Minister Modi not taking you know questions at a press conference with him and the leader of the host country. So I wanted to ask you if the leaders of these host countries have raised any requests for the Prime Minister to stand with them as as is convention in their countries and is there any plan to revise that policy. Thank you.

26:22 You go there. Please do introduce yourself. Hi, my name is Hella. I'm come from the Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen. I am wondering as we strengthen our partnership why should we trust you? And can you promise that you will try to stop the human rights violations that goes on in your country? And also will the Prime Minister start taking critical questions from the Indian press at some point in the future? And also if possible, I would like you to answer straight away.

26:56 Okay. Right now. Like now. We have a question there. >> But I might also have follow-up questions, so it would be better if you answer right away, and then I can follow up. Let me I'm conducting the press conference. So, please you have a question to ask? Please go ahead. Yes. Um India is set to become the world's third-largest economy within a few years. >> yourself? >> I'm I'm Kenneth Solberg. I'm a journalist with Dagsavisen in Oslo. Yes.

27:27 So, India is set to become the world's third-largest economy within a few years. And my question is how do you plan to use the international power that usually comes with such economic strength in the coming years. Um and the second is there hasn't been an Indian Prime Minister in Norway for 43 years. Uh why did Modi choose to come now? Mhm. Yes.

28:01 Any more question? Okay. So, let's let's take these questions. Yeah. And we would be uh thank you. Thank you for the questions. Let me start with the green uh partnership question, the details. >> Yes. Uh you know, as I said, the focus today for India is on renewables and a green transition. And in that, we have many partners. We have several partners we have, if you look at it, uh many countries we have engaged with uh focusing on uh green transition.

28:42 And we have entered into engagement with many of these countries. We would be coming out with a joint statement where we would give out the you know, further details on this green partnership as far as I could cover. Where is the that document which we have? Yeah. Um you know, we have been discussing this for some time with uh our partner countries and Norway is one of those countries. If you look at it, they have made significant [laughter] progress in green technology at various fronts. So, that is exactly what we try to connect together. Um the the convergences, technology, innovation, and scale. So, it will help both the countries together with the common objective for the good of both countries. So, but you will have more details once the details are announced in coming days.

29:42 You again asked that question on IT uh related ex- you know, as you know, um India's one of the achievements in the last few decades is the our progress we have made in the IT field. Digital uh field. You go to any part of the country, you will see that India is digitally connected. Uh >> [sighs] >> that is an experience. UPI has been a great success. I think 50% of the total transactions in the world happens in India uh in terms of digital transactions. So, this is huge and it's a success story, a great success story.

30:21 So, it brings in a lot of best practices. So, it has been appreciated, acknowledged, and appreciated by the rest of the world. So, we have today entered into a tri-agreement with uh uh with uh Norway to see how we can use this expertise of India along with that of uh Norway in third countries, which includes uh countries in Africa, countries the global south. So, this is which would cover also UPI and other areas of cooperation in the digital field.

30:56 >> [sighs and gasps] >> So, digital public infrastructure is being uh we we work with our friendly countries to see how we can use it in third countries. So, this is the project which we are doing. You had asked about uh the questions that I faced uh during my stay in the visits um about um one about the questions and also what was the second question you asked? The differences between Ah, okay. Okay. See, as um the secretary in charge of the visit, it is my responsibility to take to address the media and take questions. So, I have been doing that and I will continue to do that.

31:47 Uh as far as the differences is concerned, see, every country have their own complementarities, uh their own differences. Two like-minded countries which share common values, they come together, work for common good. This is what we have been doing. You'll see that India has engagement as a democracy, as a country values uh its constitution, as a country which is the largest democracy in the world, a country which has regular elections, a country which has very effective um judiciary. You know, we we have we are like-minded countries.

32:33 But, at the same time, there may be issues on which every country has differences. If there are no differences between any two countries, they can all be one country. You can have a world country. So, there are different countries because there are different opinions on different issues. And that is that is a very healthy thing. So, I'm very happy that we many countries have differences. Otherwise, all the countries can be together. That is not the case.

32:55 So, there are issues foreign policy. See, as India, we have a position on international relations when it comes to us. What are the two two two put it in very simple terms? How do we define India's foreign policy? I would like to put it in this just two points. One, India's foreign policy is governed and guided by the welfare and security of the people of India. We will do everything focus on the welfare and the security of India and the people of India.

33:34 Second point is we will do everything with the objective of common global good. These are the two factors which governs us. In that and and mostly that is the way most of the countries, particularly democratic countries, behave. But then, when in details, many countries have different ways of looking at different developments in the world. That differences are there. And that differences should be there. That is healthy. So, I can tell that when it comes to India-Norway relations, we have excellent healthy relationship. And we are proud of that. And that is what exactly we saw today in the dialogue between the two prime ministers, dialogue with the with the business leaders. So, we are proud of the state of engagement which we have today with the Norway and look forward to have further engagement in coming weeks and months.

34:37 I had a uh question on uh Huh? Already answered. Huh? Yeah, no, that I answered. The strengthening partnership, why should we trust you? Oh, that's okay. And on the human rights situation. Do you want more background information? Let me You asked me question, let me answer it. Okay? Let me give a background of uh what India is and why should the world trust India.

35:14 Let us look at the few challenges that the world has faced in the last few years. COVID was a big challenge the world faced. And how do you test the trust on a country? One, what is a country? A country today has four elements. One, population. Two, government. Third, sovereignty. And fourth, territorial territory.

35:47 So, that is what makes a country a country. And we are proud that we are a civilizational country of 5,000 years old. Continuous civilization. Continuous civilization. Contributed immensely to the world. You look around, you see an India connect everywhere in the world. India has, you know, the numbers which you see on your phones, it is originated in India. Shunya, zero, originated in India. Chess originated in India. So, we are proud OF THAT CIVILIZATION. YOGA, which the world admires today. It originated in India.

36:32 India had epics and books. Let me answer the question. Please don't interrupt me. Please don't interrupt me. You asked me a question. Please. This is my press conference. You asked why should a country trust India? Why should Why should a country Why should a country trust India? Why should a country trust India? Let me answer that question. Please. So, India is a civilizational country, which has something unique which it offer to the world and it continues to offer to the world.

37:08 Okay. So, let me come back to the COVID which I mentioned. The whole world had suffered from COVID. What did we do? We didn't hide in the cave. We didn't say that we don't help the world. We came out offering helping hand to the world. That brings trust. That brings trust. And I'm very happy that that trust is appreciated by the world. We supplied vaccines to more than 100 countries. That brings trust.

37:41 That brings confidence for the world. Second, we supplied vaccines to we supplied medicines to 150 countries. That brings trust. And that is why the world is trusting us. Let me give you an example. We organized the G20 summit, you know, in 2023. It was a divided world. World was divided immediately after the uh Ukraine Russia conflict. In a divided world, what did India do?

38:13 India was able to bring the world together. Before the 2023 G20 meeting, there couldn't be a joint declaration. After the G20, which India held in 2024, there couldn't be a joint declaration. But when India organized the the G20 in 2023, what happened? The whole world, despite the differences, came together and we were able to adopt a global declaration, the Delhi declaration. This shows the trust of the world towards India.

38:50 Another example. Let me finish my question. Let me finish my my answer to the question. Let me You asked me a question. You asked me a question. You asked me a question. Let me answer. You asked me a question. Let me answer. Okay? Let me I will come to that. I will come to you. Please. Please. Please have patience. Please You know, please have patience. No, when to answer, where to answer, how to answer, these are my prerogatives.

39:25 You asked a question. Don't ask answer. Don't ask me to answer in a particular way. Let me answer. I will answer. Your first question was on trust on India. You know what India did when we were doing the G20? We uh immediately before that, we did three summits. This is the global voice of global South Summit. Why did we do that? 125 countries participated in the summit when my honorable Prime Minister did that summit.

39:56 We used that summit to understand and appreciate the challenges that the global South faces. We were able to understand it, appreciate it, and bring those challenges and their aspirations to the main table of the G20. This is appreciated. This is what brings trust to the table. Then what did we do? First time in the history of G20, we were able to get African Union as a permanent member of G20. This brings trust to the table because we were able to get the aspirations and challenges of the entire African continent, which was ignored, brought to the main table of G20. This brings trust to the trust to the world and that is what we enjoy. We recently organized the AI summit. Uh artificial intelligence impact summit. Again, the trust the world has on India was visible there.

41:00 First time in the history of AI summit, we had a summit where large number of 20 world leaders came and you know, participated in it. What did my prime minister said? We want a human-centric We want a human-centric AI which helps the entire humanity. That is what India is and that is what is appreciated by the world. That brings in trust to the world. Now, on the she has left. On the issue which she asked about human rights, let me let me mention this.

41:37 India is a country which is based on a constitution. India is the largest democracy in the world. Last time when we had the democracy we had the elections in India, the participation was almost 1 billion people. That is the the festival of democracy happened in India. And India is a country very few countries in the world has that where there is a peaceful transfer of power happens and it happens in India. So, India has a constitution which I'm sure that some of you are aware of. It was established immediately after our freedom struggle. Again, a freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, peaceful way, peaceful, non-violent. That is why the United Nations celebrate his birthday, October 2nd, as International Non-Violence Day. So, we have a constitution. Let me just give you an summary of what the Indian constitution guarantees today. The preamble of the constitution, as you know, "We the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, and give to its people what? Justice, social, economic, and political. Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship.

43:00 Equality of status, equality of opportunity, integrity, uh dignity of the individual." This is what my constitution guarantees, and this is guaranteed through fundamental principles, fundamental rights, fundamental duties. A constitution which is respected by the people of India. Everyday when a civil service examination happens, when an examination happens based on merit, when a election happens anywhere in the country, it is we are celebrating the constitution.

43:32 This is the beauty of India, and we are so proud of that. So, every human being in India has a fundamental right, a right to go to the court if his right is infringed upon. This is the beauty of India, which we are very proud of. We hear a lot of people asking questions about why this, why that, but let me tell you this. We are 1/6 of the total population of the world, but not 1/6 of the problems of the world. We have a constitution which guarantees the rights of the people, fundamental rights of the people. We have you know, we have equal rights for the women of our country, which is very important. In 1947, we gave the freedom to vote for our women. We together, we won the freedom together and the day one itself.

44:22 Many countries I know, the voting right for women came after several decades after India gave that freedom. You know, this because we believe in equality. We believe in human rights. And what is the best example of human rights? The right to change government, the right to vote. And that is what is happening in India. We are so proud of that. But we have a constitution as I said, which guarantees the fundamental rights of our people. If anyone whose rights are violated, they have the right to go to court. They and you you know, you some of you are from Indian media.

44:59 You know, how many how many stories appear. We have how many breaking news coming every day in the evening. At least 200 TV channels in in Delhi alone, in English language, in Hindi language and multiple language. People have no understanding of the the scale of India. People have no understanding. They read you know, one or two news reports published by some God forsaken ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions.

45:32 Don't worry about it. We are proud to be a demo- cracy. We are a democracy. You know, actually if you look at it, let me share something very interesting. India is a democratic society. It is not in 1947 we became democracy. We were a democratic society for centuries. For millennia and we are proud of that. If you look at it in the history of India, which continues even today, you will see that whenever there was persecution in the world, they came to India. And Indian society accepted everyone. That is why we have this diversity in India. We embrace the world. We did not eliminate. We did not go for ethnic cleansing, which many many countries today have only one religion.

46:19 Today only have one ethnicity. Why? Their forefathers eliminated the rest of them. That is not how we did it. Okay? We have diversity because we have tolerance. We have diversity because we embrace diversity. Whenever the world has faced problems, we welcome them. Same thing we we did for COVID. So, I think I explained it enough, no? The last question of this gentleman here. Third largest economy, what are we going Oh, what are we going to do about it?

46:49 See, uh I I touched upon uh the essence of India's foreign policy. Okay? India has always been a responsible uh power. We have supplied the largest uh peacekeepers to the world. United Nations, India is the largest uh supplier of uh peacekeepers to the United Nations, which continues to be the case. We are proud of that. We are peacemakers. Okay? Um When we become I mean, we are in the process. We have always been a country which had this uh basic ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

47:29 What is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam? It comes from our our epics, which is the ethos of our civilization. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means world is one family. And we believe in humanity. And that is exactly our position in the past, and that will be our position in future. We believe in common global good. Uh if you look at any issues, India has a position which is consistent with the global common good.

48:01 As I said, we are 1/6 of the total population of the world. We uh don't have 1/6 of the problems of the world. And why we are able to what we bring to the table in this universe, in this world today is the moderation. We bring moderation to any table which makes it a which a which makes a which is also how responsible we are. But it is based on our ethos of uh Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, world is one family. That was the main theme of our G20 summit also when we organized. Exactly the reason why we were able to bring the global south to the table. We were able to uh bring African Union to the table.

48:44 So, we will be uh we have been a responsible country. We we believe in uh common good. And we will continue to engage the world with that ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, world is one family. Thank you. Thank you, sir. With that, ladies and gentlemen, do we come to the close of this press briefing. Tomorrow we have the India-Nordic Summit coming up, so stay tuned with us for more updates on this important Thank you very much. Thank you.