Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was debriefed from neighbour countries during his maiden Independence Day address.

Mr. Modi’s references to the subcontinental region were the only foreign policy statement he made. “India’s foreign policy has many facets,” said Mr. Modi, “But I want to focus on our relations with our neighbours,” he told the audience at the Red Fort, that included several diplomats, who were provided a live translation of the speech over headphones.

Mr. Modi said the SAARC region had a common history relating to the freedom movement pre-1947. “Our common forefathers fought for freedom together. If without weapons or resources we could defeat a powerful sultanate (British rule), can’t we defeat poverty, can’t we win against poverty together?”

In his address to the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi said he wants India to emerge stronger as a country so that it can contribute significantly to the betterment of the world.(SDF/KH)