Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday emphasized the global necessity for inclusive and corruption-free governance during his address at the World Governments Summit in the UAE. Reiterating his longstanding mantra of 'minimum government, maximum governance,' Modi stressed the importance of governments refraining from excessive interference in people's lives.
He highlighted the significance of building trust between the government and its citizens, noting the increasing trust in the Indian government due to its focus on public sentiments and participation. Modi credited the success of various initiatives, such as sanitation, digital literacy, and girl education campaigns, to the active involvement of the people.
“I believe that people should neither feel the absence of a government, but at the same time, nor should there be pressure from the government," he said while stressing the mantra of 'minimum government, maximum governance'.
“In fact, I believe that the government should interfere as little as possible in the lives of people,” he said.
Reflecting on his 23 years in government, both as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and as Prime Minister, Modi underscored his commitment to women-led development and the advancement of social and financial inclusion. He celebrated the milestone of connecting over 50 crore people to the banking system, a testament to his government's efforts in fostering financial empowerment.
In the face of evolving global challenges, including terrorism, climate change, and technological disruptions, Modi emphasized the need for governments to prioritize ease of living, justice, mobility, innovation, and business. He commended Dubai's rise as a hub for the global economy, commerce, and technology, praising UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed for his leadership.
"People have trust in the intent and commitment of the Indian government. This was possible only because we prioritised public sentiments," he said.
“Bharat has seen a great transformation in recent times. Be it Bharat's sanitation drive, digital literacy campaign or girl education campaign, the success of each such big goal has been ensured only through people's participation,” he added.
The World Governments Summit, themed 'Shaping Future Governments,' serves as a platform for dialogue among governments, international organizations, thought leaders, and private sector representatives. Ahead of his participation in the summit, Modi held discussions with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on various areas of bilateral cooperation.
Modi's visit to the UAE commenced with a warm welcome from President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, accompanied by a Guard of Honour. The iconic Burj Khalifa illuminated with the message "Guest of Honor -the Republic of India," highlighting the significance of Modi's presence at the summit.
