Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India emerges as the first responder whenever there’s a crisis in the world. Speaking to the Indian community in New York, the Prime Minister said India is also a strong voice of the Global South.

“Today, when India says something on a global platform, the world listens. Some time ago when I said that this is not the era of war, its severity was understood by all,” PM Modi said during the ‘Modi and US’ event in Long Island.

He also spoke about the transformations India has witnessed, and said the country doesn’t wait for opportunities, but creates them. PM Modi said, “India is now the land of opportunities. It doesn’t wait for opportunities any more, it creates opportunities. In the last 10 years, India has created launching pads of opportunities in every sector.”

During his speech, PM Modi also gave two new meanings to AI as he addressed the Indian community in New York, and said, “For me, AI means American Indians. This is the spirit that is taking the India-US relations to a new height.”

Some time later in the same speech, PM Modi said there’s another meaning of AI, called ‘Aspirational India’. “Every aspiration is giving birth to new achievement, and every achievement becomes a facilitator for a new aspiration. In a decade, India has climbed to the 5th spot from the 10th spot in terms of economy. Now, every Indian wants it to become the third largest economy,” PM Modi said.

Members of the Indian community chanted ‘Modi, Modi’ as they welcomed PM Modi at the event. He began his address with “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, and also said that the word “Namaste” is now multi-national. “Namaste has become global from local now,” PM Modi said, as the Indian community cheered for him.

“You have connected India to America and America to India. Your skills, talent and commitment know no bounds. Even though you have travelled overseas, but no sea is so deep that can distance you from India,” he said in his address to the Indian community.

The Nassau Coliseum was abuzz ahead of the event as Indians holding ‘Welcome Modi’ posters in various languages gathered. Groups of artists also performed traditional Indian dance forms at the venue. More than 500 artists are set to showcase their talents as the event unfolds.

The Prime Minister arrived in New York earlier today after attending the Quad Leaders’ meeting in Delaware, hosted by President Joe Biden on Saturday.

The Quad Leaders’ Summit took place on Saturday in US President Biden’s hometown, Wilmington, where several topics ranging from security cooperation to technology sharing were discussed. During the Summit, the Prime Minister stressed rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty, in a veiled reference to China.