‘Couldn’t Die For India, But Will Definitely Live For It’: PM Modi In New York

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Indian diaspora at the famous Nassau Coliseum in New York, recounted the sacrifice made by the hundreds of freedom fighters for the Independence of India and said that he couldn’t die for the country, but would certainly live for the country. PM Modi said that from day one, his mission was clear that he would dedicate his life to the prosperity and development of India. He said, “Hum Desh Ke Liye Mar To Nahi Paye, Par Hum Desh Ke Liye Jarur Jee Sakte Hain. Marna Hamare Naseeb Me Nahi Tha, Lekin Jeena Hamare Naseeb Me Hai (We couldn’t die for the country, but we can certainly live for the country. It was not in our fate to die, but it is in our fate to live).

Addressing a mega gathering of the Indian diaspora at New York’s Nassau Coliseum, PM Narendra Modi said that he was the first Prime Minister of India, who was born after the Independence of the country. He said, that during the fight for independence, hundreds of people sacrificed their lives. They lost their lives for the country. While lauding the freedom fighters' sacrifice, PM Modi said, “I could not give life for Swaraj (Independence) of India, but I will devote my life to it.”

“From the very first day, my mind and mission have been evident. I could not give my life for Swarajya, but I decided to dedicate my life to good governance and prosperous India,” Prime Minister Modi said in the US.

Pursuing 3-Fold Responsibility In Third Term: PM Modi

Terming India as a "land of opportunities", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he has set very ambitious goals for the country during his third term. Addressing the Indian-Americans at the packed Nassau Coliseum on Long Island in New York, PM Modi said he is pursuing a three-fold sense of responsibility in this term. "After going through this tough election (Lok Sabha Election 2024) process, this long election system, something unprecedented happened in India. For the first time in 60 years, the people of India have given a mandate which has great significance. During my third term, I have very ambitious goals to achieve. We have to move forward with three times the strength,” he said.

"Every Indian has confidence in India and its achievements. India today is a land of opportunities. It's no longer waiting for opportunities. It is now creating opportunities. This was possible because we changed our old way of thinking. We changed our approach. We empowered the poor,” the prime minister said in the US. 

Prime Minister Modi said he has dedicated his life to good governance and for a prosperous India. Observing that destiny brought him to politics, PM Narendra Modi said he had never thought of becoming a chief minister or prime minister. Over the last 10 years, people have seen this model of governance and thus have voted him to power for a third term, he added.

PM Modi First Indian PM To Visit Long Island In 75 Years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in New York's Nassau Coliseum to address the Indian community. It was the first time that an Indian PM visited Long Island in 75 years. Indian artists showcased cultural performances ahead of PM Modi's address.

On Saturday, PM Modi met US President Joe Biden at Greenville, Delaware, upon his arrival to attend the Quad Leaders' Summit and the Cancer Moonshot event. He also held bilateral talks with Japan PM Fumio Kishida and Australian PM Anthony Albanese. Before this, PM Modi addressed the QUAD Leaders' Summit.

India To Host Next Quad Leaders' Summit

“Free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific is our priority,” PM Modi said in his opening remarks, in a veiled reference to China, at the summit hosted by President Joe Biden . The Quad meeting was also attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, with whom Modi later held bilateral meetings. On the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Modi participated in the Quad Cancer Moonshot event hosted by Biden.

The next Quad Leaders’ Summit hosted by India in 2025. Besides, Mumbai may host a Quad Regional Ports and Transportation Conference in 2025, a White House press release said.

PM Modi, who landed at Philadelphia International Airport, was welcomed by the Indian community with cultural dance performances. The Prime Minister met US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Quad summit to deepen India-US relations. PM Narendra Modi will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders as well and will be attending the Quad summit.

He is also expected to meet US presidential candidate Donald Trump ahead of US elections in November.

Highlights of PM Modi's New York Speech:

• At New York’s Nassau Coliseum, PM Modi began his address to the Indian diaspora, saying, “Namaste” and added, “Now our ‘Namaste’ has also become multinational, from local to global."
• Prime Minister Modi called the Indian diaspora ‘Rashtradoot’ and said, "I have always understood the capabilities of the Indian diaspora. I understood it even when I held no official position. For me, you all have been strong brand ambassadors of India. This is why I call you 'Rashtradoot'."
• PM Modi highlighted the diversity of India, saying, "We belong to a country where there are dozens of languages and dialogues, all faiths and religions of the world, and yet we are moving forward united."
• Talking about the 2024 Lok Sabha elections of India, PM Modi said that the BJP -led NDA government has returned to power for a consecutive third term. "After a long process of election, something unprecedented has happened in India. For the third consecutive time, our government has returned to power. Such a thing didn't happen in the last 60 years. The mandate given by the people of India has great importance. In this third term, we have to achieve big targets," he said.
• The prime minister said, "You may remember this word 'Pushp' which means flower; I define it as 'P' for progressive Bharat, 'U' for unstoppable Bharat, 'S' for spiritual Bharat, 'H' for humanity first, which India has dedicated itself to, and 'P' for prosperous India. All five petals of 'Pushp' or the flower that will make Viksit Bharat."
• PM Modi asserted that 2024 is a crucial year for the world. "Whomever I meet Wherever I go in the world, I only hear praises for the Indian diaspora from them every leader praises the Indian diaspora. Yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware. His affection was a heart-touching moment for me. That honour is of 140 crore Indians; this honour is yours, and of lakhs of Indians living here. I am grateful to President Biden and you people. This year of 2024 is important for the entire world. On one side, there is conflict and struggle between some countries; on the other side, democracy is being celebrated in many countries. India and America are together in this celebration of democracy," he said.
• In New York, PM Modi gave a new meaning to AI, "For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but for me, AI also means American-Indian spirit. This is the new 'AI' power of the world. I salute the Indian diaspora here," he said.
• Highlighting India's achievements during his speech, PM Modi said, "Bharat is full of energy and dreams. Every day we see new achievements. Today, both India men's and women's teams have won gold medals in the Chess Olympiad."