Discussions on global growth should evolve broader agenda- PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said societies that are open minded, democratic and transparent are better suited to innovate. He said, discussions on global growth cannot happen just between a few and stressed that the agenda must be broader and growth patterns must follow a human-centric approach. Virtually addressing the sixth Indo-Japan Conference on Monday, the Prime Minister said that this decade and beyond will belong to those societies that place a premium on learning and innovating together. He said, innovation is the corner-stone to human empowerment and true learning should promote innovation.

Highlighting the importance of this forum to promote the ideas and ideals of Lord Buddha, Modi proposed the creation of a library related to traditional Buddhist literature and ures. He said, India is happy to create such a facility and the library will collect digital copies of all such Buddhist literature from different countries around the world. He said, the library will not only be a depository of literature but it will also be a platform for research and dialogue between human beings, societies and man and nature. He added that its research mandate will also include examining how Buddha's message can guide our modern world against contemporary challenges like poverty, racism, extremism, gender discrimination, climate change and many others. The Samvad Conference revolves around the need to build the future of Asia on the positive influence of traditions of non-violence and democracy in Asia. The first conference, Samvad-I, was held in New Delhi in 2015 and at Bodh Gaya.