During the 1942 Quit India Movement, I was a student at Gwalior High School. I was arrested by the British for participating in the movement. My parents then sent me off to my village where, again, I jumped into the movement.
India has a consistent and well-known position on terrorism. We oppose all acts of terrorism, wherever they occur. We have repeatedly said that no cause can justify violence and destruction, particularly aimed at civilians.
I believe India and Israel should focus on building bilateral relations on the basis of shared perspectives and commonalities between our two democracies. This has to be a forward-looking exercise rather than harking back to perceptions of the past.
As we talk with candour, we open the doors to new possibilities and new areas of cooperation in advance in democracy, in combating terrorism, in energy and environment, science and technology and international peacekeeping.
Our objective should be to firmly deal with terrorism and its sponsors, financiers, and arms suppliers. At the same time, our doors should always be open for processes which would restore peace, development, and progress to societies which have been devastated by terrorism over many generations.
Our nuclear scientists and engineers have done a splendid job, and naturally, the entire nation has risen to salute their professional excellence, discipline, and patriotism. They have had the benefit of having been led in the past by great men like Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai.
No guns but only brotherhood can resolve the problems.
Terrorism has become a festering wound. It is an enemy of humanity.
Quiet diplomacy is far more effective than public posturing.
Our words, actions, and diplomatic efforts should be aimed at trying to achieve pragmatic goals rather than creating rhetorical effect.
I dream of an India that is prosperous, strong and caring. An India, that regains a place of honour in the comity of great nations.
I have never been a traitor. I am not an informer; I never betrayed my nation.
I have a vision of India: an India free of hunger and fear, an India free of illiteracy and want.
Our aim may be as high as the endless sky, but we should have a resolve in our minds to walk ahead, hand-in-hand, for victory will be ours.
If India is not secular, then India is not India at all.
Empowering the individual means empowering the nation. And empowerment is best served through rapid economic growth with rapid social change.
There can be no compromise regarding corruption.
You can change friends but not neighbours.
Victory and defeat are a part of life, which are to be viewed with equanimity.
Let no one challenge India's secularism.