| India must engage globally on its own terms, says RSS chief | |    |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 8: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday stressed the need for India to remain actively engaged with the global economy, saying international trade agreements must be mutually beneficial while safeguarding national interests, particularly those of farmers.
Speaking on the second day of the Mumbai Vyakhyanmala lecture series, organised to mark the “100 Years of Sangh Journey”, Bhagwat said economic isolation was neither practical nor desirable. “International economic affairs will continue. Isolation is not a way. In any deal, if we gain something, we must also give something. Efforts should be made to ensure win-win agreements or, at the very least, secure our own interests,” he said, in the context of ongoing international trade discussions, including those with the United States.
Commenting on global perceptions of power, Bhagwat said influence in international affairs often flows from strength. Referring to India’s civilisational outreach, he said that moral authority alone was insufficient without backing of power. “People believe in power; they listen to those who have power behind them,” he remarked.
The RSS chief also praised the current governance model, describing the administration of the past decade as confident and decisive. “The government we have seen over the last ten years is fearless and capable of standing firmly,” he said.
Turning to agriculture, Bhagwat underlined that farmers must remain at the centre of policymaking. He cautioned against implementing untested reforms and rapid experimentation in the sector. “In agriculture, farmers should be their own owners. Anything introduced must be tested thoroughly before implementation,” he said, while recalling the loss of crop diversity over the years.
Bhagwat further said economic growth should be guided by ethical considerations and must benefit humanity as a whole. “Development should not be limited to one’s own progress. It should contribute to the development of the world; that is what makes us human,” he added.
On Saturday, during the opening session of the event, Bhagwat had said that India’s trade agreements must be finalised strictly on its own terms and not under external pressure. “We cannot isolate ourselves from the world, but deals must be on our terms and conditions. We will not finalise agreements under pressure or merely by looking at tariffs,” he had said.
Without naming any country, Bhagwat added that India should lead by example rather than intimidation. “We are observing how global powers operate. As Vishwaguru, we do not want to intimidate others but lead from within and set an example for the world,” he said. | | |
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