PM Modi hails Cooperative Federalism at NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the collective efforts of all the states in the spirit of cooperative federalism as the force that helped India emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Addressing 7th meeting of NITI Aayog's Governing Council in New Delhi, Mr Modi said, every state played a crucial role according to its strength and contributed to India's fight against Covid. 

This led to India emerging as an example for the developing nations to look up to as a global leader, he said.

The Prime Minister said India's federal structure and cooperative federalism emerged as a model for the world during the Covid crisis.

He said that India had sent a powerful message to the developing nations of the world-that it is possible to overcome challenges with resilience despite resource limitations.

PM Modi said that the credit for this goes to the State governments, which focused on grassroots delivery of public services to the people through cooperation across political lines.

Prime Minister said that each state should focus on promoting its 3Ts - Trade, Tourism and Technology, through every Indian Mission around the world. 

He said the States must focus on reducing imports, increasing exports and identifying opportunities for the same in every state. 

PM Modi said we should encourage people to use local goods wherever possible. 'Vocal for local' is not the agenda of an individual political party but a common goal, he said.

The PM also spoke about India's G20 presidency in 2023 and called it a unique opportunity to show the world that India is not just Delhi-it is every State and Union Territory of the country.

Speaking about this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, the G20 Presidency presents a great opportunity and a great responsibility. 

For the first time in the history of G20, India will host the G20 meetings over the year, not only in Delhi but in every State and Union Territory, he said.