Top 818 Quotes & Sayings by Narendra Modi - Page 14

So far as the government is concerned, there is ­only one holy book, which is the constitution of India. The unity and the integrity of the country are the topmost priorities. All religions and all communities have the same rights, and it is my responsibility to ensure their complete and total protection. My government will not tolerate or accept any discrimination based on caste, creed and religion.

The amount of respect with which I engage Saudi Arabia, I engage Iran with the same amount of respect. The amount of respect with which I speak to America, I speak to Russia with the same amount of respect.

In foreign policy it's not necessary to have similar views to have a conversation.

If you look at the India-US relationship for example, the role that the Indian diaspora has played in the relationship is extremely crucial. Yes, we share democratic values but there is also the great role that the Indian diaspora has played in strengthening the bond of friendship between India and the US, and of course in underscoring the democratic values between the two countries.

India doesn't have one problem with China, we have a whole lot of problems pending with China.

My experience is that Delhi behaves the way the leadership defines.

India knows that the subject of Land is not with the Central Government and the Centre does not require lands. All rights relating to land are with the states.

If I have to describe the India-US relationship in a single word, I will say we are natural allies. I think the relationship between India and US, and the two countries in themselves, have played an enormously important role and continue to play an important role in strengthening democratic values all over the world.

If you view terrorism in Syria from one perspective and terrorism outside Syria from another perspective, it can create problems. If you view terrorism in categories such as good terrorism and bad terrorism, that too can create its own challenges.I think we should not look at these questions individually.

In fact, the most important reforms are those needed, without new laws, at various levels of Government, in work practices and procedures.

I was born in a very poor family. I used to sell tea in a railway coach as a child. My mother used to wash utensils and do lowly household work in the houses of others to earn a livelihood. I have seen poverty very closely. I have lived in poverty.I decided that I would not live for myself but would live for others.

The 21st Century should be India's century but from 2004 to 2014 bad ideas and bad actions have affected the country adversely. Every day was a new bad day and there were new scandals. People were furious.

The foreign policy is not about changing mindsets. Foreign policy is about finding the common meeting points.

I started reading the works of Swami Vivekananda. That gave me courage and a vision, it sharpened and deepened my sensitivities and gave me a new perspective and a direction in life. I decided to dedicate myself to others and till date I am continuing to follow that decision.

I don't want to get into political mudslinging.

Philosophically, I feel that India will progress only if we work as teams.

If you were to ask me whether you need a dictatorship to run India, No, you do not. Whether you need a powerful person who believes in concentrating power, No, you do not. If you were to ask me to choose between democratic values and wealth, power, prosperity and fame, I will very easily and without any doubt choose democratic values.

I regularly interact with officers over tea; it is part of my working style.

What we teach our children is that earth is your mother that provides; she's a giver. So, please first ask forgiveness from the mother earth before you step on to it and cause it pain.

India has always wanted friendly ties with its neighbours, there can be no debate around it. We want to live in harmony and peace.

Respecting religions is not simply a question of universal tolerance; it is a question of believing that all religions are true.

We teach in our cultural history that the entire universe is a family. So our association with Nature is much deeper and of a very different kind.

If I look at the definition of Hinduism, the Supreme Court of India has given a beautiful definition; it says that Hinduism is not a religion, it is actually a way of life.

National security is a serious matter and I do not think it is in proper to discuss such details in a public forum.

I can assure our countrymen that India is safe in the hands of the brave warriors of our Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

For a government of any party, and for every one of us, even one suicide is worrisome.

India is a civilization where the principle and philosophy of sacrifice is ingrained as part of our upbringing.

International summits and organisations like WTO take decisions, which will bind us and if we are not present in such summits, we may be hurt by the decisions taken.

For nearly three decades there has been, by and large, peace and tranquility on the India-China border. Not a single bullet has been fired for over a quarter-century. Both countries are showing great maturity and a commitment to economic cooperation.

I would especially like to appeal to my country's media that we should stop looking at everything in India from the prism of Pakistan. India is an independent country. It is a country of 125 crore people. Whenever it approaches any country, it will only be concerned about its own interests. It has been our biggest shortcoming and mistake that we have been tagging ourselves with another country and trying to do things.

I believe Raghuram Rajan's patriotism is no less than any of ours. As much as I know Raghuram Rajan, whatever post he holds, wherever he is, he is someone who will continue to serve the country.

We shouldn't consider smaller countries insignificant. I abide by this principle.

India is a democracy; it is in our DNA. As far as the different political parties are concerned, I firmly believe that they have the maturity and wisdom to make decisions that are in the best interests of the nation.

Normally, the opposition gets more media space and even the people find it interesting to listen to voices against the government of the day.

The Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers are one team. The Cabinet Ministers and the State Ministers are another team. The Civil Servants at the Centre and the States are yet another team. This is the only way we can successfully develop India.

When opponents keep harping on one point, it is a sure sign of success!

I think it is a very natural tendency for the nations to increase their influence in the international space, as they pursue their international relations with different countries.

India is a civilization with a history that is thousands of years old.The diversity of India, of our civilization, is actually a thing of beauty, which is something we are extremely proud of.