I do believe that the future of civilization belongs to those who would lay emphasis on working together instead of talking about clash of civilizations.

As the largest and most developed democracies of Asia (India and Japan), we have a mutual stake in each other's progress and prosperity.

India happens to be a rich country inhabited by very poor people.

Nobody should be allowed to tinker with democracy. We will not discontinue the good works of the past government.

I think, overall, India is today on the move. The economic reforms that our salvation lies in - operating an open society, political system, an open economy, economic system - this has widespread support.

Those who create wealth should be shown the greatest respect.

We got government off the backs of the people of India, particularly off the backs of India's entrepreneurs. We introduced more competition, both internal competition and external competition. We simplified and rationalized the tax system. We made risk-taking much more attractive.