Modi’s act of self-praise, woos Indian diaspora in Seoul

Despite tight schedule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed members of Indian community in Seoul and highlighted how the ‘mood’ in India had changed from the day he took over and also elucidated what all measures he is taking to present the country as one of the major global players.

Modi, who landed in Seoul on final leg of his three-day tour, played his development plank and said ‘development’ was a medicinal herb, which would solve India’s problems.

Citing examples of how India helped Nepal in its distress and how India evacuated not only its nationals but people from other countries, including Pakistan, also from Yemen, Modi said that cooperation was rising among countries.

The Prime Minister, who is known for his oratory skills, quoted poet Rabindranath Tagore, saying he said South Korea was ‘Lamp of the East’, and told the gathering about his Government’s ‘Act East Policy’.

He looked for investments from Indian diaspora, saying they had equal rights on the country. “The extent to which Narendra Modi has a right over India, you too have the same right on the country,” he said.

As Modi nears one year of completion of his office, he did not fail to praise his own Government among people, emphasising how the country had starting changing after 30 years.

This time he chose to wore a band-gala suit for the event in contrast to other events in the past in different countries, where he is spotted wearing traditional kurta-churidaar to address Indian community.

Mentioning about SAARC and BRICS, India said now was the time to emphasise on ‘I’, which had become strong in past one year.

After his address, Modi will meet South Korean President Park Geun-hye and present his ‘Make in India’ initiative to South Korean chaebols, like Samsung, LG and Hyundai.

He is expected to meet highest officials of the companies and lure them to do businesses in India.

After winning the biggest mandate last year in May, Modi had vowed to cut red tapism and correct India’s ranking in ‘ease of doing business’, which slipped to 142.

After arriving in the country, Modi laid a wreath at Seoul National Cemetery. He also received a rousing welcome by Indian diaspora and is scheduled to address 1,500 members of Indian community before meeting the President.

India and South Korea look forward to boost bilateral trade, which stands at $16 billion.

Globetrotting Modi wants to attract maximum investments in India. The Indian PM wants to invite countries for his various projects like smart cities, sanitation drive, clean Ganga campaign, among others.

Modi started his tour with China and then visited Mongolia.

(Image: PIB)