PM Modi did an interview with Newsweek, becomes the second Indian PM to feature on Newsweek cover
It took fifty-eight years for an Indian PM to get his face on the Newsweek’s cover and PM Modi did it. It was Indira Gandhi who first did it in 1966.
About Newsweek
Newsweek is a New York-based weekly news magazine founded in 1933. The cover of the magazine featured PM Modi written unstoppable above the photo. The magazine interviewed PM Modi towards the end of March through some written questions stating the India-China border situation, Ram Mandir, Lok Sabha election and many others, it was followed by a 90-minute conversation between the Indian PM and Newsweek’s team.
When asked about India-China relations PM said it needs to be addressed by both the countries as the border dispute is spoiling the relation of both countries. He said “It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us,”
To this, he further added, “I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquillity in our borders,”
The PM mentioned India’s economic growth with reforms like GST and labour law reforms, he further highlighted how business is rapidly growing in the country and how good the market is for foreign investment. The PM was quoted saying, “India, as a democratic polity and global economic growth engine, is a natural choice for those looking to diversify their supply chains,”
On talking about the global standards PM said “We are striving to make our regulatory framework, our taxation practices as well as our infrastructure at par with global standards,”
“We believe that when a country with one-sixth of the world’s population adopts global standards in these sectors, it will have a big positive impact on the world,” he added.
The questions included in the interview ranged from The Ram Mandir to the J&K situation, when asked about J&K he said, I would encourage you to visit Jammu & Kashmir to witness firsthand the sweeping positive changes happening on the ground. to it he further added, “Post the revocation of Article 370, the region has become a welcoming destination for global events, hosting significant gatherings like the Formula 4 racing event, Miss World and G20 meetings. Digital economy, startups, innovation and smart solutions are taking wings,”
PM Modi told Newsweek, “Over 21 million tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2023. There has been a significant decline in terror incidents. Organised bandh/hartals [protests], stone pelting, which once disrupted normal life, are now a thing of the past,”
When asked about the Ram Mandir PM told the interviewee, “The name of Shri Ram is imprinted on our national consciousness. His life has set the contours of thoughts and values in our civilisation. His name echoes across the length and breadth of our sacred land. Therefore, during the 11-day special ritual I observed, I made a pilgrimage to the places that carry the footprints of Shri Ram. My journey that took me to various corners of the country showed the revered place Shri Ram holds within each of us,”
When the question of Imran Khan’s arrest arose he refused to comment on that as he didn’t want to interfere in the internal affairs of Pakistan.
Speaking about the Lok Sabha elections he said, India is the largest democracy in the world he mentioned how 600million people voted in 2019’s general election he further claimed that this year the number of voters will rise to over 900 million.
praising his government he added, ” By the end of the second term, even the most popular government start losing support. Discontent toward governments has also increased in the last few years in the world. India stands out as an exception where popular support for our government is increasing”.
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