Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has a great responsibility to help the world counter new threats to global peace.
"There were new "actors" and new "threats" to global peace and prosperity. India, which always stood for "Vishva-Bandhutva" and peace - the brotherhood of the world - had a great responsibility in helping the world counter these challenges to peace," Prime Minister Modi said after inaugurating a Heads of Mission Conference here.
He also urged the Heads of Indian Missions to use this unique opportunity to help India position itself in a leading role, rather than just a balancing force, globally.
He further urged them to shed old mindsets, and added that they should be quick to adapt to changing global situations.
Emphasizing the role of "Heads of Missions" in projecting India to the world, the Prime Minister described them as "shining vibrant representatives" (tejasvi, jeevant anshpunj) of India's glorious heritage. He urged them to work ceaselessly and with a clear mind, on India's development priorities, and to advance India's interests abroad.
He also paid his tributes at a memorial in Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan to government personnel who had sacrificed their lives in line of duty while serving abroad.
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The three-day conference will focus on what diplomacy can do for the country.
On previous occasions, the focus of the conference had been the impact of international issues on India and what the nation can do globally.
The theme of the conference this year is diplomacy for development.
