“No Ocean can separate you from India”: PM Modi to Indian diaspora in US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, emphasized the unbreakable bond between India and its people, regardless of where they are in the world. He acknowledged the vital role the diaspora plays in strengthening the relationship between India and the United States.

“You have connected India with America, and America with India. Your skill, talent, and commitment are unmatched. Despite being overseas, no ocean can separate you from India,” PM Modi said during the “Modi & US” event.

PM Modi used a powerful metaphor to describe India’s approach to global leadership, saying, “Hum aag ki tarah jalaane waale nahin, Suraj ki kiran ki tarah roshani dene waale hain” (We are not those who burn like fire, but those who enlighten like the sun).

During the address, PM Modi announced the establishment of a Thiruvalluvar Chair for Tamil Studies at the University of Houston, further strengthening India’s cultural and educational ties with the US. He also revealed plans to open two new Indian consulates in Boston and Los Angeles.

The Prime Minister lauded the diaspora as brand ambassadors of India, referring to them as “Rashtradoots.” He highlighted their global influence, saying, “Our ‘Namaste’ has gone from local to global, and you have made it happen.”

PM Modi also praised the community for upholding the traditional Indian value of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “the world is one family,” noting the importance of cultural diversity within India. “We are a country with hundreds of languages, religions, and sects, yet we move forward united. This is our strength, and these values naturally bind us to the world,” he said.

Recounting his early days, the Prime Minister reflected on his long-standing connection with the diaspora. “I remember visiting America even before I held any position. I had visited 29 states in the US, and once I became Chief Minister, I continued connecting with you through technology,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi highlighted India’s transformation into a “land of opportunities” over the last decade, noting that the country no longer waits for opportunities but creates them. “In the last 10 years, India has created launching pads of opportunities in every sector,” he said.

He praised India’s rising stature on the global stage, pointing out that the world listens when India speaks. “We are also a strong voice of the Global South. When India says something on a global platform, the world listens,” he remarked. He referenced India’s significant role in disaster relief efforts and its humanitarian response during the COVID-19 pandemic, sending vaccines and medicines to over 150 nations.

The event saw 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora from 42 states gather to welcome the Prime Minister, who received a standing ovation as he took the stage. Talented artists from the Indian community performed traditional music, setting the tone for the address.

India’s resolve to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047 was a focal point of PM Modi’s speech, with the Prime Minister highlighting the indispensable role the Indian diaspora plays in cementing bilateral ties with the US.