External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underscored the role of technology in India's progress, citing the widespread availability of Aadhaar and bank accounts among the population.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the global shift in conversations toward India, with international observers acknowledging the significant changes in the country over the past decade. He also claimed that 'Modi ki guarantee' is believed across the globe, not just in India.
While addressing the Viksit Sankalp Bharat Yatra in Kerala, Jaishankar said he told foreigners that what has changed in the country during the period is the vision.
"Today, 'Modi ki guarantee' is something that is believed not only in the country but also in the world. 'Modi ki guarantee' means good governance and people-centric policies. This means that if someone is in trouble abroad, whether it is somebody who goes to Saudi Arabia or the UAE or students in Ukraine, PM Modi is there for them. This is a big difference that has happened in the last 10 years," added the Union Minister.
"Because, as foreign minister, I go around the world. The rest of the world is actually today talking about us. They are asking today how it is that you are able to do.
"Because it was the same India 10, 20 or 30 years ago. What has changed in India? And I tell them that what has changed in India is the vision," he said.
The minister underscored the role of technology in India's progress, citing the widespread availability of Aadhaar and bank accounts among the population. According to Jaishankar, the strategic use of technology, including connecting it to phones, has led to substantial advancements in governance and society.
"We have aadhaar....because we have bank accounts. By having bank accounts we have actually changed not only governance, but also society. By connecting it to the phone, we have ensured direct benefits. So we have actually used technology," the external affairs minister said.
In the past decade, Jaishankar commended the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its "tremendous work" that has positively impacted the lives of citizens. He emphasized the need to continue this progress, advocating for the creation of 'Viksit Bharat' to address common issues Indians face, such as health, water, electricity, housing, and education, which are also prevalent in other countries, including the developed world.
"They are not only India's problems...they are everybody's problems," Jaishankar said, adding that it is even a problem in the developed world.
Jaishankar said he was finishing 46 years in the government.
"But, the last 10 years for me, five years as a minister and five years before that, have been actually the most satisfying years, for me. Because, I have seen a complete change in how the government performs," he said.
Under the Modi government, the bureaucracy is more sensitive and bankers are more friendly towards the customers.
The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being undertaken across the country with the aim of attaining saturation of flagship schemes of the government by ensuring that the benefits of these schemes reach all targeted beneficiaries in a time-bound manner.