PM Modi Returns to India: Why is Buddha vs Yudh Trending?

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned to India, the debate over "Buddha vs. Yudh" has become popular. He underlined India's long-standing commitment to world peace during his speech to the Indian diaspora in Vienna. He said, "India is the country that gave the world the Buddha, not Yudh (war)."

Promoting Global Peace

PM Modi restated India's goals for 21st-century global leadership in his speech. What the nation wants to be, he declared, is the "best, the brightest, achieving the biggest, and reaching the highest milestones." He said, "We have been sharing our knowledge and expertise for thousands of years, emphasising India's tradition of promoting peace and sharing knowledge." We gave the world 'Buddha', not 'Yudh' (war). India will play a bigger role in the twenty-first century since it has always contributed to peace and development.

Historic Visit to Austria

This visit marked the first time in 41 years that an Indian Prime Minister visited Austria. PM Modi described the visit as "meaningful" and noted the significance of the timing, as India and Austria celebrate 75 years of friendship. “India and Austria are geographically on two different ends, but we have many similarities. Democracy connects both the countries. Our shared values are liberty, equality, pluralism, and respect for the rule of law. Our societies are multicultural and multilingual. Both countries celebrate diversity, and a big medium to reflect these values are elections,” he said.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

In his discussions with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer, PM Modi explored ways to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including environmental protection and climate change. They also discussed global disputes, including the Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia.

Peace Talks in Moscow

Prime Minister Modi stopped in Russia before to his trip to Austria, where he had a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Trade, defence, and strategic collaboration were the main topics of conversation. Stressing the value of peace, Prime Minister Modi informed President Putin that conflict is not the answer to persistent problems and urged diplomatic solutions.