TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS FROM MODI’S FIRST INTERVIEW AS INDIA’S PRIME MINISTER

22-9-2014 10.45AM IST

Medhaj News: In a first interview to the CNN, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lived up to his image of a statesman by making his stand clear on several international and domestic issues.

Here is a look at the 10 important things Modi said in the interview.

- Relation between India and America should not be seen within the limits of just Delhi and Washington. It is a much larger sphere. The good thing is the mood of both Delhi and Washington is the harmony with this understanding, both sides have played a role in this.

- There have been ups and downs in the Indo-US relationship in the past century but from the end of the 20th century to the first decade of 21st century, we have witnessed a big change. Our ties have deepened.

- In the past five or ten centuries, India and China have grown at similar paces. Their contributions to global GDP have risen in parallel, and fallen in parallel. Today's era once again belongs to Asia.

- China must not live in isolation, it must engage with neighbours: PM Modi

- We can't close our eyes to problems. We are not living in the 18th century. We need to live on the basis of partnership between countries.

- India is a country that once upon a time was called the golden bird. We've fallen from where we were before. But now we have the chance to rise again.

- I have seen the strength of democracy. If there was no democracy, a person like me who was born in a poor family could not have become the PM. Democracy is our great legacy.

- Indian Muslims will not want anything bad for India.

- Girl child education is important for the empowerment and development of the country.

- Dignity of women should be a collective responsibility.