'India first' at the core on govt's foreign policy: PM Modi at MyGov townhall

NEW DELHI: 'India first' is the central point of NDA government's foreign policy which is aimed at protecting the country's strategic interests and ensuring robust economic growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said.

"India first is the central point (of our foreign policy). It is about protecting India's strategic interest, it is to ensure that India marches forward in achieving economic prosperity by leaps and bounds and reaches the position which it is destined to reach," he said.

The Prime Minister was making a Town Hall-style address to mark the second anniversary of his government's MyGov initiative.

Modi said time has changed and world has become interdependent, and no country can afford to live in a particular group.

"The time of grouping has come to an end. Every country is linked to some other country," he said, adding walking together in most cases has become the norm.

Showering praise on the Indian diaspora, he said they can play an important role in strengthening India's ties with foreign countries and we should utilise their strength.

"The diaspora community has become very proactive, assertive and they can help in improving ties with many countries. India is making its place (in the world) with new energy and prestige," he said.

Answering a query on India's external engagement, Modi said there was no need to use words like aggressive, progressive and proactive in talking about the country's foreign policy which the questioner had used.