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PM Modi's exclusive interview
In an exclusive interview with Times Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked ab
out a range of issues. Here are the top quotes from his interview:
1.
On Lakshman-Rekha with Pakistan
"The first thing is that with Pakistan, to whom do we talk to decide about the L
akshman Rekha. Will it be with the elected government or with other actors? That
is why India will have to be on alert all the time. India will have to be alert
every moment. There can never be any laxity in this. But there is an outcome du
e to my continuous efforts like my visit to Lahore and my invitation to the Paki
stani Prime Minister to come to India. Now I don't have to explain to the world
about India's position."
2.
On relations with China
"We have an ongoing dialogue with China and it should continue to happen. We don
't have one problem with China, we have a whole lot of problems pending with Chi
na. Slowly and steadily, an effort is on to address these issues through talks a
nd make them less cumbersome. I can say that China has been cooperating with Ind
ia to search for solutions. On some issues, it's a question of principles for th
em. On some issues, it's a question of principles for us."
3.
On India's NSG membership bid
"Every government has made an effort. It's not that only this government is tryi
ng, it's in continuity. But it's during our tenure that we achieved SCO membersh
ip, we also got the MTCR membership. I have full faith that now we have begun a
coordinated effort for the NSG membership too. The process has begun on a positi
ve note. Everything has rules and will work accordingly and move forward."
4.
On Raghuram Rajan and Subramanian Swamy's attacks against RBI governor
"My experience with him has been good and I appreciate the work that he has done
. He is no less patriotic. He loves India. Wherever he will work, he will work f
or India and he is patriotic. Whether it is in my party or not, still I think su
ch things are inappropriate. This fondness for publicity is never going to do an
y good to the nation. People should conduct themselves with utmost responsibilit
y. If anybody considers himself above the system, it is wrong."
5.
On corruption in previous governments
"There are many things which are not visible. One can't imagine the difficulty I
am experiencing in taking out things from dirt. One who is working there knows
the amount of dirt that exists and how certain things have been caught in a web.
There are certain powers behind it. The case about Agusta helicopters. I can't
deny it and I believe that we have the right to doubt that people behind this ar
e very experienced. They have perfectly practiced the art of doing wrong deeds."
6.
On his focus on elections
"My focus is on governance. Country has been at greatest loss because government
s were run only for elections. Governments must not run only for elections. The
government should be a bona fide attempt of meeting the demands and expectations
of the common people. Elections should just be a bi-product. It is a democracy.

Winning and losing is a part of it. "

7.
On politics of religion
"I am of the firm belief that the nation should progress on the issue of develop
ment. And it is necessary that the country moves forward on the issue of develop
ment. I would like to tell the media not to make heroes out of those people who
make extreme comments"
8.
On government's economic schemes
"The poor is the central focus of my economic agenda. The poor should be strengt
hened in such a way that they get the willingness to defeat poverty. By helping
the poor make ends meet while they remain in poverty is also one of the ways . A
ll my schemes are meant to empower the poor and change the quality of life."
9.
On what motivates him
" I don't live under the burden of worries. Problems and challenges are there, y
ou can't deny that. But you must challenge the challenges and not let the challe
nges turn into worries. This is my principle. I challenge the challenges."
10.
On absence of humour in public life
"I have a humorous side but these days humour can be a risky thing. In this era
of 24/7 news channels, anybody can lift a small word and make a big issue out of
it. But I will tell you the truth, the reason for the absence of humour in publ
ic life is this fear. I am in fear, there is no humour left in public life becau
se of this fear. Everyone is scared. I am in fear. My speeches used be humourous
. I see it in Parliament, that humour is finished there too. It is a matter of c
oncern."