DAVOS, Jan 23 - Sending out a strong message against protectionism and inward-focused economic policies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said such tendencies can be as dangerous as terrorism and climate change as he pitched for creating a �heaven of freedom� free from divisions.
Modi, who became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual summit here in two decades, talked about grave concerns facing the world, including terrorism and climate change.
In a nearly-hour long speech delivered in Hindi, the Prime Minister sought to hard sell India as an investment destination, saying those wanting wealth with wellness and peace with prosperity should come to the country.
Seen as an apparent reference to policies like America First, especially since US President Donald Trump would be coming to Davos later this week, Modi said �many countries are becoming inward focused and globalisation is shrinking and such tendencies can�t be considered lesser risk than terrorism or climate change�.
Protectionism is rearing its head and there is risk of new tariff and non-tariff barriers coming up, the Prime Minister said, as he mentioned that division is not the solution to this problem of anti-globalisation.
Noting that in an interconnected world, globalisation is losing its lustre, the Prime Minister wondered �do global organisations created after the Second World War really reflect the aspirations and dreams of mankind today? With respect to the developing countries there is a very big gap�.
Asserting that India is proud of its democracy and diversity, Modi said the country has always contributed towards global peace as well as believed in values of integration and unity.
Stating that terrorism is dangerous, the Prime Minister remarked that worse is when people say there is a difference between �good� and �bad� terror, besides noting that it is painful to see some youngsters getting radicalised.
The Prime Minister also emphasised that a predictable, stable, transparent and progressive India is good news in an otherwise uncertain global environment.
�Let us create a �heaven of freedom�, where there is cooperation and not division, fractures,� Modi told the gathering even as he stated that issues of peace, security and stability have emerged as serious global challenges.
The theme of this year�s summit is �Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World� and referring to it, Modi said it was relevant for him as Indians have always believed in uniting and not dividing people. � PTI
