News / Brèves Back to previous selection / Retour à la sélection précédente ’Returning to the Unity of Indira Gandhi’ 10 June 2014 The New India: Returning to the National Unity of Indira Gandhi Indian President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the first joint sitting of Parliament yesterday following the historic election, giving full and strong support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. Mukherjee, who was very close to Indira Gandhi, was elected President in 2012, representing the Congress Party coalition UPA, but is unrestrained in promoting Modi’s policies. Mukherjee’s speech reflected the recent comments by Lyndon LaRouche, who responded to the Modi election by noting that Modi’s election, despite the fact that he is from a different party, marks a return to the policies and political unity under Indira Gandhi, which neither her children nor the opposition leaders were unable to sustain. Mukherjee said the people of India "have voted for a united, strong and modern India. My government will work to fulfill these aspirations, with the involvement of all the [1.25 billion] people of this great country.... The surge in aspirations and the belief that these could be realized through democratic processes, has been amply reflected in the record 66.4% participation by voters and a clear verdict in favor of a single political party after a gap of nearly 30 years," referring to the assassination of Indira Gandhi by the British in 1984. "The electorate transcended the boundaries of caste, creed, region and religion to come together and vote decisively in favor of Development through Good Governance," he said. The Economic Plan On the economy, Mukherjee said: "The government will put it back into a high growth path, rein in inflation, reignite the investment, accelerate job creation and restore the confidence of the domestic and international community.... Containing food inflation will be the topmost priority of the government, which will also try to end rural-urban divide and reverse trend of hopelessness among farmers that leads to suicides.... My government will not be satisfied with mere ’poverty alleviation’; and commits itself to the goal of ’poverty elimination’.... Integrated infrastructure will be rolled out in model towns to focus on cleanliness and sanitation. By the time the nation completes 75 years of its Independence, every family will have a pucca [solid construction] house with water connection, toilet facilities, 24x7 electricity supply and access," he added. He specifically called for expanded nuclear power. London’s Financial Times headlines their report: "India Launches Chinese-Style Economic Revival Plan," taking note of a "Diamond Quadrilateral project of high-speed trains ..., and another to the construction of 100 new cities focused on specialized economic domains and equipped with world-class amenities." Chinese FM in India: "Roll Our Sleeves and Get Going" Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India on June 8th and 9th, and held meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, President Pranab Mukherjee, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, among others, praising the new era in India and pledging full Chinese support for India’s development and expanded relations. Calling China and India "natural partners," Wang said the two countries had far more in common than differences. "I see strong winds of change with Mr. Modi as prime minister. This is the time for us to roll our sleeves and get going. This is no time to talk." ’China Stands By Your Side’ He focused on Chinese investment in the infrastructure sector. "As special envoy to the President, I have brought the most important message that on your road to national rejuvenation China stands by your side," he said. He told journalists after meeting Prime Minister Modi that China wanted to upgrade railways in India as well as build expressways. "We are competitive and cost effective." Swaraj spoke about the possibility of China setting up industrial parks in India. In addition to Xi Jinping’s planned trip to India, the two foreign ministers agreed to at least half a dozen meetings between the two sides at the level of President, Vice President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during the rest of the year. Wang said both sides are considering naming a India-China cultural exchange program after the famous Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang), the Buddhist monk who undertook a 17-year overland journey to India in the 7th Century, and who, Modi recalled, had visited his, Modi’s, native place of Vadnagar in Gujarat.