Speaking to Lex Fridman in a podcast today, Modi said, “India-China cooperation is not just beneficial for our two nations but also essential for global stability and prosperity. The 21st century is the Asian century. Competition is natural but there should not be conflict.”
He said in the future too, India wants its ties with China “to remain strong.” “Differences between the two neighbors are natural, occasional disagreements are also natural. Families have disagreements too. Our attempt is that differences should not plummet into disputes. We stress dialogue over discord. That is the only way to achieve a stable, cooperative relationship which is in the best interests of both nations,” said the PM, adding that the 2020 border standoff led to distances which were now being addressed.
“They (Pakistan) should have thought they have got what they wanted. They should have thanked India and lived in peace. But they chose a path of constant conflict with Bharat. A proxy war is now on….Anywhere in the world when a terror attack happens, the source is somehow always traced to Pakistan,” said Modi, referring to the mastermind of the 9/11 terror attack in the US, Osama Bin Laden, taking shelter in Pakistan. Modi said Pakistan had become a cause of trouble not just for India but the whole world. “We have asked them to shun the path of terrorism, end this policy of state-sponsored terrorism. You (Pakistan) have left everything in the hands of non-state actors. What benefit will you get? I had traveled to Lahore to further the cause of peace. I invited Pakistan to my swearing-in…But each time, our efforts ended in negative outcomes. We hope Pakistan will get the wisdom to opt for peace. I feel even the people there are frustrated with this cycle of violence and bloodletting,” Modi said.
