New Delhi: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) will prove to be one of the "biggest game-changers" of the 21st century, President Droupadi Murmu said in Parliament on Thursday.
He also said that the global order is taking a "new shape" and the government's efforts are resulting in "Bharat" giving new confidence to the world as "Vishwa-Bandhu" (friend of the world).
Addressing a joint session of Parliament, Murmu said that today India is the first responder in any crisis and has emerged as a strong voice of the Global South in view of its human-centric approach.
Outlining the Modi government's foreign policy priorities, the president said India is giving great emphasis on connectivity.
"Be it East Asia or Middle East and Europe, my government is giving great emphasis on connectivity. It is India's vision that has shaped the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor," he said.
"This corridor will prove to be one of the biggest changes of the 21st century," Murmu added.
Considered as an innovative initiative, the IMEC envisages a vast network of roads, railways and maritime transport between Saudi Arabia, India, the United States and Europe with the aim of ensuring integration between Asia, the Middle East and the West.
The IMEC initiative was consolidated on the sidelines of the G20 Summit held in Delhi in September last year.
India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States and some other G20 partners signed an agreement for the corridor.
"India today is known not for increasing the challenges faced by the world, but for providing solutions to the world. Like Vishwa-Bandhu, India has taken initiatives to provide solutions to many global problems," Murmu said.
"We are providing diverse solutions for issues ranging from climate change to food security and from nutrition to sustainable agriculture," he said.
The President also elaborated on various aspects of India's foreign policy priorities.
"The global order is taking a new shape in this third decade of the 21st century. Thanks to the efforts of my Government, Bharat is giving new confidence to the world like Vishwa-Bandhu," he said.
Murmu said India has been at the forefront of safeguarding humanity, be it the coronavirus crisis, an earthquake or a war, adding that the way the world now views the country was evident during the G-summit. 7 held in Italy this month.
"India also brought the world together on various issues during its G-20 presidency. It was during India's presidency that the African Union was made a permanent member of the G-20," he said.
The president noted that the move strengthened the confidence of Africa and the entire Global South.
"Following the 'neighborhood first' policy, India has strengthened its relations with neighboring countries," he said.
"The participation of the leaders of seven neighboring countries in the swearing-in ceremony of the Union Council of Ministers on June 9 reflects this priority of my government," he said.
"India, in the spirit of Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas, is also increasing cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.
The President also referred to the recent Lok Sabha polls.
"The entire world is talking about the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The world is witnessing that the people of India have elected a stable government with a clear majority, consecutively for a third term," he said.
"This has happened after six decades," Murmu added.
On India's initiative, the year 2023 was celebrated across the world as the International Year of Millets.
Murmu said India's global stature is continuously increasing. "The prestige of this great legacy of India is continually increasing in the world."
"We are achieving our climate goals much ahead of schedule. Our initiatives towards Net Zero are an inspiration to many countries," he said.
He also said that the global order is taking a "new shape" and the government's efforts are resulting in "Bharat" giving new confidence to the world as "Vishwa-Bandhu" (friend of the world).
Addressing a joint session of Parliament, Murmu said that today India is the first responder in any crisis and has emerged as a strong voice of the Global South in view of its human-centric approach.
Outlining the Modi government's foreign policy priorities, the president said India is giving great emphasis on connectivity.
"Be it East Asia or Middle East and Europe, my government is giving great emphasis on connectivity. It is India's vision that has shaped the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor," he said.
"This corridor will prove to be one of the biggest changes of the 21st century," Murmu added.
Considered as an innovative initiative, the IMEC envisages a vast network of roads, railways and maritime transport between Saudi Arabia, India, the United States and Europe with the aim of ensuring integration between Asia, the Middle East and the West.
The IMEC initiative was consolidated on the sidelines of the G20 Summit held in Delhi in September last year.
India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States and some other G20 partners signed an agreement for the corridor.
"India today is known not for increasing the challenges faced by the world, but for providing solutions to the world. Like Vishwa-Bandhu, India has taken initiatives to provide solutions to many global problems," Murmu said.
"We are providing diverse solutions for issues ranging from climate change to food security and from nutrition to sustainable agriculture," he said.
The President also elaborated on various aspects of India's foreign policy priorities.
"The global order is taking a new shape in this third decade of the 21st century. Thanks to the efforts of my Government, Bharat is giving new confidence to the world like Vishwa-Bandhu," he said.
Murmu said India has been at the forefront of safeguarding humanity, be it the coronavirus crisis, an earthquake or a war, adding that the way the world now views the country was evident during the G-summit. 7 held in Italy this month.
"India also brought the world together on various issues during its G-20 presidency. It was during India's presidency that the African Union was made a permanent member of the G-20," he said.
The president noted that the move strengthened the confidence of Africa and the entire Global South.
"Following the 'neighborhood first' policy, India has strengthened its relations with neighboring countries," he said.
"The participation of the leaders of seven neighboring countries in the swearing-in ceremony of the Union Council of Ministers on June 9 reflects this priority of my government," he said.
"India, in the spirit of Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas, is also increasing cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.
The President also referred to the recent Lok Sabha polls.
"The entire world is talking about the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The world is witnessing that the people of India have elected a stable government with a clear majority, consecutively for a third term," he said.
"This has happened after six decades," Murmu added.
On India's initiative, the year 2023 was celebrated across the world as the International Year of Millets.
Murmu said India's global stature is continuously increasing. "The prestige of this great legacy of India is continually increasing in the world."
"We are achieving our climate goals much ahead of schedule. Our initiatives towards Net Zero are an inspiration to many countries," he said.
