Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place. Only strength respects strength.

India is the land of Buddha and Gandhi. Equal respect for all religions must be in the DNA of every Indian.

Our nations (India and USA) may have been shaped by differing histories, cultures, and faiths. Yet, our belief in democracy for our nations and liberty for our countrymen is common. The idea that all citizens are created equal is a central pillar of the American constitution. Our founding fathers too shared the same belief and sought individual liberty for every citizen of India.

The diversity of India, of our civilization, is actually a thing of beauty, which is something we are extremely proud of.

The progress of India is the destiny of one-sixth of humanity. And it will also mean a world more confident of its prosperity and more secure about its future.

Much of India that we dream of still lies ahead of us: housing, power, water and sanitation for all; bank accounts and insurance for every citizen; connected and prosperous villages; and, smart and sustainable cities.