On May 2, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat down
for an exclusive two-hour interview with TIME editor Nancy Gibbs, Asia
editor Zoher Abdoolcarim and South Asia bureau chief Nikhil Kumar in New
Delhi. Speaking mostly in Hindi, Modi talked about everything from his
ambitions for India to the global war on terrorism to what personally
moves him. Translated and condensed highlights, followed by the full
interview:
On what he has learned so far about running India:
The biggest challenge was that I was new to the federal government
structures. Different departments tend to work in silos—each department
seems to [be] a government in itself. My effort has been to break these
silos down, [so that] everybody … looks at a problem in a collective
manner. I see the federal government not as an assembled entity but as
an organic entity.
On how he sees the U.S.:
We are natural allies … [It’s not] what India can do for the U.S., what
the U.S. can do for India … The way we should look at it is what India
and the U.S. can together do for the world … strengthening democratic
values all over.
On India’s sometimes tense relations with China:
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.
On the possibility of the Taliban’s returning to power in Afghanistan:
The drawdown of U.S. troops is, of course, an independent decision of
the American government, but in the interest of a stable government in
Afghanistan, it would be important to hold consultations with the Afghan
government to understand their security needs as the U.S. troops draw
down.
On tackling the threat of terrorism: We should not
look at terrorism from the nameplates—which group they belong to, what
is their geographical location, who are the victims. These individual
groups or names will keep changing. Today you are looking at the Taliban
or ISIS; tomorrow you might be looking at another name.
We should pass the U.N.’s Comprehensive Convention on
International Terrorism. At least it will clearly establish whom you
view as a terrorist and whom you don’t. We need to delink terrorism from
religion—to isolate terrorists who use this interchange of arguments
between terrorism and religion.
Several countries used to see terrorism as a law-and-order
situation of individual countries. We should see it as something that
is a fight for human values.
On whether economic reforms have gone far and fast enough:
[This time] last year, nothing seemed to be happening in the
government. There seemed to be a complete policy paralysis … There was
no leadership. My government’s coming to power should be viewed in the
context of the developments of the 10 years of the last government vs.
10 months of my government … The whole world is, once again, excited and
enthusiastic about India and the opportunities that India represents.
Whether it is the IMF, the World Bank, Moody’s or other credit agencies,
they are all saying in one voice that India has a great economic future
On whether he would like to have the kind of authoritarian power that China’s leader has:
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. So 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.
On India’s religious diversity, which some citizens believe is under siege:
My philosophy, the philosophy of my party and the philosophy of my
government is Sabka saath, sabka vikas—“Together with all, progress for
all.” Take everybody together and move toward inclusive growth. Wherever
a [negative] view might have been expressed [about] a minority
religion, we have immediately negated that. 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.
On what influences him: [Chokes and tears up.] This
touches my deepest core. 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.
As a child, my entire childhood was steeped in poverty. For me, poverty,
in a way, was the first inspiration of my life … I decided that I would
not live for myself but would live for others.
As he nears his one-year anniversary in office on May 26, 2015,Narendra Modi has
established himself as nothing less than a global political star.
He
reputedly sleeps just three hours a night, begins his days with yoga and
has used his office to promote the Indian discipline, even naming a
minister of yoga.
On Twitter, the 64-year-old is the second most
followed political leader, after President Barack Obama, and likes to
tweet directly at other world leaders—when he’s not cheering India’s
cricket team on the social-media service.
Narendra Modi has visited 16 countries
in 11 months—a figure that, with an upcoming trip to China, South Korea
and Mongolia, will rise to 19 by his first anniversary.
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