PM Modi Inaugurates Second Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on January 17, 2017. The conference has been organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Delhi based prestigious think tank Observer Research Foundation.

• The theme of the three day conference is “The New Normal: Multilateralism in a multipolar world”.
• More than 250 participants from 65 countries attended the flagship geo-political conference.

Important Highlights of the Dialogue

PM Modi highlighted that India’s economic development is deeply impacted by the developments in the world and vice-versa. World needs India’s sustained rise as much as India needs world’s rise. India’s economic and political rise represents a regional and global opportunity of great significance.

• India’s strategic intent is shaped by civilization ethos of Realism, Co-existence, Cooperation and Partnership.
• Indian government focuses on rebuilding connectivity, restoring bridges and rejoining India with immediate and extended geographies.
• PM laid stress on building development partnerships extending from Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean to the islands of the Caribbean and from the great continent of Africa to the vibrant nations of Americas.
• He said that Asia has shown a great deal of progress but steady increase in military power, resources and wealth in the Asia-Pacific has raised the awareness for its security. Therefore the security architecture in the region must be open, transparent, balanced and inclusive.
• PM Modi highlighted the influence of maritime sector. He said that India’s initiavtive of SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region not only aims to safe-guard India’s mainland and islands but also defines efforts to deepen economic and security cooperation in maritime relationships. 
• He said that India’s relation has deepened with Afghanistan, despite distance and difficulties in transit. The completion of Afghanistan’s Parliament building and the India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam are the evidence that proves the developmental partnership.
• PM Modi also highlighted the relation with countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Maldives
• But Modi said that he has a vision to develop peaceful and harmonious ties with entire South Asia including Pakistan. Modi said that Pakistan must walk away from terror to have any dialogue with India.
• He also mentioned India’s redefining relation with Gulf and West Asia such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Iran despite uncertainty and conflict
• India’s partnership with ASEAN and its member countries has enhanced commerce, technology, investment, development, and security partnerships.
• Speaking about the relation between India and China, Modi said that it provides a development opportunity to both the countries and for the whole world.
• PM stated that the engagement with countries like United States, Russia, Japan and other major global powers are very compatible with India’s economic priorities of capital and capacities, commerce and technology, industry and infrastructure, skills and development, and defence and security.
• PM said that one’s success must lead to growth of many which is possible through constructive and collaborative partnerships with global world.

About Raisina Dialogue 

• The Raisina Dialogue is an annual conference on geopolitics and geo-economics held in New Delhi jointly by Ministry of External Affairs, India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) an independent think tank based in India.
• The conference is participated by multi-stakeholder, cross-sectorial conclave, involving policy and decision makers, including cabinet ministers from various Governments, high-level Government officials and policy practitioners, leading personalities from business and industry, and members of the strategic community, media and academia.
• The first edition of the conference was held from March 1 to March 3, 2016 in New Delhi. The theme was “Connecting Asia”.
• The conference is named after Raisina Hill of New Delhi, which is the location of both the Government of India as well as the presidential palace of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan, which inspired the design of the conference symbol.