21st century belongs to Asia: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the world is convinced that the 21st century belongs to Asia.

Prime Minister Modi said the whole world is looking at India, and added that no country has the strengths that India has.

Expressing confidence that India will achieve new heights, Prime Minister Modi said that his nation has three qualitative powers that nobody else has.

"We have three powers that nobody else has, and it is our duty to identify these powers, present it to the world and mobilize it," said Prime Minister Modi.

"First, Democracy - this is our biggest strength. We are god's children, we have received his blessings. Even the poorest man went out in the heat to hear speeches. Second, Demographic Dividend - 65 percent of people are less than 35 years in age. There is no need for the nation to look back, it can only look forward, and third, Demand - the world is looking at India, it is a big bazaar (market), and therefore, the demand will naturally be big" he added.

Prime Minister Modi, who addressed the gathering in Hindi, said democracy is India's biggest strength.

"One of the things that India can be proud of is our democracy. Through democracy, the people fulfill their dreams," said Prime Minister Modi.

"America is the oldest democracy in the world. India is the biggest democracy in the world," he said amid a thumping applause.

Prime Minister Modi said that India, which is the youngest country in the world, will live up to the expectations.

"There is an atmosphere of hope and enthusiasm. India wants change. A country with such a huge population of young people does not have a need to look back," Prime Minister Modi told thousands of Indian Americans and Americans at the Madison Square Garden here.

Asserting that India wants change, Prime Minister Modi said: "There is an atmosphere of hope and enthusiasm."

"We are a youthful nation with a very old culture. 65 percent of Indians are below the age of 35," said Prime Minister Modi.

"There is no reason to be disappointed or anguished. India will progress very fast and with unimaginable speed; and the skills of our youth will take the country ahead," he added.