India does not have expansionist attitude: PM Modi in Guyana Parliament

In a message to big power rivalry in outer space and oceans,PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said that space and sea should be subjects of "universal cooperation", not universal conflict. In his address at a Special Session of Parliament of Guyana in Georgetown, the PM noted that India's mantra of 'Humanity First' inspires it to amplify the voice of the Global South, including at the recent G-20 Summit in Brazil.

India, he further noted, wants to serve humanity as Vishwabandhu, a friend to the world, and this seminal thought has shaped its approach towards the global community where it gives equal importance to all nations-big or small. In a subtle message to the Chinese approach to resource rich countries, Modi also said India has "never moved forward with selfishness, expansionist attitude", and it has always been away from harbouring any feeling of seizing resources. "For the world to move forward, the biggest mantra is 'Democracy First, Humanity First'. The spirit of democracy first teaches us to take everyone along and participate in everyone's development. 'Humanity First' guides our decision-making. When we make 'Humanity First' the basis of our decision-making, the results are also ones which benefit humanity," he said.

The PM also pointed out that it is "time for awakening of the Global South", and for its members to come together to create a new global order.


In his remarks, Modi termed the India-Guyana ties of 'mitti' (soil) as full of cordiality, referring to their cultural ties of over a century and a half.