India has tremendous social strengths, including pluralism: PM Modi to Economist magazine

PM Modi has said that India has tremendous social strengths, including pluralism.

File photo

New Delhi: Against the backdrop of "intolerance" debate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has tremendous social strengths, including pluralism.

It was for the second time in recent days that Modi has touched upon issues relating to diversity and pluralism, as he faces criticism over the issue of intolerance in the country.

Modi referred to pluralism in India in an article in the prestigious Economist magazine whose brief excerpts was tweeted by its Europe business correspondent based in Paris.

"India has tremendous social strengths, including pluralism..." Modi was quoted as having said in the article in the latest edition of the magazine whose cover has caricatures of world leaders including Modi with a title, "The World in 2016."

The article figures in a 30th edition special section with contributions from Modi besides IMF chief Christine Lagarde and Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai among others.

The Prime Minister also referred to the "great expectations" from his government which completes 18 months next week.

"There is a sense of great expectation from our government. Inevitably, some of these expectations run ahead of us," he said.

Modi also touched upon the impact of India's growth on environment.

"We are conscious that our growth...Will have some environmental impact," he said, days ahead of the Climate Change summit in Paris.

Modi last Friday said that India's diversity was the country's "strength and pride" and underlined the importance of peaceful co-existence.

"India is full of diversity. This diversity is our pride and it is our strength. Diversity is the speciality of India." he said, adding that despite the country being home to diverse religions, over 100 languages and 1,500 dialects Indians have proved how to live together.

Modi was addressing thousands of people, almost all of Indian origin, at a Grand Community reception in his honour at London's iconic Wembley Stadium, home to rock concerts and England's national soccer team, during his three-day visit to the UK.