For India, peace is not a word; it is our veins: Modi

Country will play a role for global welfare, Prime Minister tells Donald Trump

President Donald Trump with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
at the ASEAN Summit in Manila on Monday. 

Highlighting India's role in the Indo-Pacific region Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi's tradition of peace, a day after Indian officials joined the quadrilateral grouping that includes Australia, Japan, and The United States.

In a meeting with the nonresidence Indian community, Mr. Modi said on Monday for the peace of the world even as he informed U.S. President Donald Trump that India would play a role in the welfare of humanity.

Huge sacrifice

"History does not show us a single incident in which India has done bad things to anyone. During World War I and World War II, we did not have any territorial ambition, yet more than 1.5 lakh soldiers of my country sacrificed lives in the quest for the peace. Because of this sacrifice, any Indian can we contribute to the world and do not take anything from the world. For India, the land of Budha and Gandhi, peace is not just a word, peace is in our veins," said the Prime Minister speaking in Hindi to a gathering of no-residence Indians living in the Philippines.

"I have come to a nation and a region that is very important to India," He said to a cheering crowd.

The U.S statement, issued following Sunday's talks, hinted at continuing the India Logue process, but Indian officials did not confirm that.