WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi compared the relationship between India and the US to that between 120 and 220 volts, underlining the need to harmonise systems in the two nations.
"Ultimately, the relationship between two countries, the basis of this relationship is always the manner in which the kind of confidence that is there in the two countries, and what is the chemistry between the leadership of the two countries," Modi said at a luncheon reception hosted in his honour by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department.
"That is what works for a long time, and in the last two days especially and for last four days that I have been in the US I have been feeling this, that not only on Mars have we met. India and US haven't met only on Mars. We are also meeting on the Earth as well, and we are coming close.
There are certain problems, he noted.
"You use a system which is 120-volts, and we use 220-volt system in India. So 120 and 220 – when you have to bring them together and the difference in the energy which is there, so we'll have to undertake necessary steps in order to bring it together," Modi said.
"I'm sure we'll succeed in it. Then 120-volt and 220-volt systems – both the systems will start working together, and that is how I am standing here amidst you," he added.
Modi said that with great confidence he can say that India is moving fast, and forward very fast.
"The youth part that is there in India and the talent which is there in India, and the very innovative nature of Indians and India, and the ancient civilisation that we have in India – all these things that are there," he noted.
"Today at the world forum generate a new hope, are creating a new hope. And the hopes that the people in the world have to fulfil those aspirations and hopes – India is committed, India is determined," he said.
The Prime Minister assured the world community and especially the US that to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the world, they are all looking up to India, and India is ready for that.
"India is ready to march ahead step-by-step and in tune with America. We would like to select those parts which take us to the welfare of the world and humankind, and strengthen the democracy.
"And the smallest of the small nations in the world which are struggling, and the backward people in the world – we are committed to removing their difficulties, and I'm fully confident that we will put our energies to this use," Modi said.
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