India not hungry for anyone's land: PM

Narendra Modi's comments came in the backdrop of Pakistan's constant clamour for highlighting the Kashmir issue at the international fora

"India has not attacked anyone. It is neither hungry for land. But in the two World Wars (in which India had no direct stake), 1.5 lakh Indian soldiers had laid down their lives," the Prime Minister said at the inauguration ceremony of the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra

Modi said the Indian community abroad did not believe in indulging in politics or grabbing power in foreign lands.

They, on the other hand, mingle with other communities by following the principle of social well being

He lamented that despite the great price, the country could not make the world realise the importance of its sacrifice. He said whenever he was abroad, he made it a point to visit the memorials for the Indian soldiers. The Prime Minister said the Indian community can contribute to the cause.

He said Indians settled abroad do not indulge in politics and neither do they believe in grabbing power there. Indians, Modi noted, lived abroad with the principle of "social well being." 

"They are like water. They change their colour and shape as per need," he said.

The Prime Minister said there were countries where the Indian community was more powerful than the Indian missions and could help removing the "fear of unknown" amongst the people there towards India.

While much was spoken about brain drain, if the strength of the Indian diaspora was channelised, "we can convert it into 'brain gain'," he said.

Like dams channelise the energy of water to make electricity, a source is required to utilise the energy of the 2.45 crore strong Indian diaspora to "light up India", Modi said.

He also commended the role of the Ministry of External Affairs in helping people of Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and pulling out Indians and other nationals from hotspots like Yemen. 

Modi said the MEA has made a place for itself and the world now accepts India as a major contributor in extending humanitarian aid.

Other countries, he said, now seek Indian help in pulling out their citizens from trouble spots. "Since India will definitely be evacuating its citizens, please help us pull out our people as well," he quoted calls of helps from various nations as saying.

Modi also released a booklet carrying a series of protocols to be followed to get rid of diabetics through yoga. Speaking on the occasion, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra was not just an ordinary building but a memorial of the forefathers who had left India in search of work.

She said the Indian diaspora has preserved Indian traditions, festivals and languages alive in foreign lands. "It is an image of the Indian community which keeps the head of India high abroad," she said.