PM Modi Talks Article 370 Move In Bangkok: 'When Decision Is Right, Echo Is Heard Across Globe'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has again justified revoking provisions of Article 370 and ending special status to Jammu and Kashmir- this time in Bangkok.  Speaking to Indian diaspora during his Thailand visit, he claimed that the move has helped eliminate the root cause of terrorism and separatism in the country. Government has been maintaining that Article 370 was a reason behind terrorism and separatism in the state. The prime minister's remarks were greeted with laud applause and a standing ovation by around 5,000 people in the Thai capital. As people stood up and hailed his remarks, Modi said the standing ovation was for India's Parliament and parliamentarians and that their blessings will further energize Indian lawmakers to work harder for the nation.

"You are aware that India has decided to eliminate a big reason behind sowing of seeds of terrorism and separatism," Modi said, "When a decision is right, its echo is heard across the globe. And I can hear it in Thailand as well."

PM Modi addressed the Indian community at the 'Sawasdee PM Modi' event in Bangkok and stressed that connectivity between Thailand, Myanmar and North East India will be seamless once the trilateral highway is thrown open.

"Our focus is to connect India's North East with Thailand. North East is being developed as a gateway to Southeast Asia. This initiative will immensely strengthen India's Act East Policy and Thailand's Act West Policy," PM Modi said in his address at the 'Sawasdee PM Modi' event.

Modi also highlighted India's Act East policy and the importance of the country's ties with 10-nation ASEAN grouping, besides referring to historical linkages between India and Thailand. The prime minister, on a three-day visit here, will address the annual ASEAN-India summit on Sunday.

In his nearly 50-minute speech Modi also spoke on a range of issues including the welfare measures rolled out by his government, his return to power with a bigger mandate in the Lok Sabha elections, strength of the Indian economy, importance of Indian diaspora in overall growth of the country and how India is emerging as a "major power" globally. Modi said his government was working to fulfil those aspirations which seemed impossible earlier, adding people's expectations go up from those who work.