Norwegian Ambassador Solheim predicts that PM Modi would lead to sustained economic growth of 7-8%

During the Indian G20 Presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is vying for a record third straight term, solidified his position as the world’s foremost leader. According to green politician and Norwegian diplomat Erik Solheim, he would lead to a 7–8% increase in economic development for the nation.

In an interview with IANS on Saturday, Solheim—who thinks that a lot more people will cast ballots in India than in any other election worldwide—said that PM Modi’s win will keep India’s strength and nationalism rooted in the rich legacy of the Hindu Dharma, which dates back thousands of years.

The inauguration of the Ram Mandir was a major boost to this process. Modi will keep doing this, which is good in my opinion. India is modernizing, but not westernizing, according to this. However, he said, “The BJP must also be careful to incorporate the significant minority groups in India, especially the Muslims.

Solheim, President of the Green Belt and Road Institute, is an experienced peace negotiator who served as the primary facilitator of the peace process in Sri Lanka from 1998 to 2005. According to Solheim, PM Modi would deliver prolonged economic development at a pace of 7-8 percent. In ten years, the Indian economy would have doubled. To ensure that everyone benefits from India’s growth, pro-poor measures will be given top priority by the BJP and several regional administrations. This is made possible by the digital economy via direct monetary transfers, among other things.

Solheim believes that he solidified his claim to global leadership during the Indian G20 Presidency. He feels that the West can also learn a great deal from PM Modi’s economic policies and ecological pledges.

He predicted that India will become more confident and push its interests internationally than it has in the past.

The green politician, who was instrumental in persuading India to phase out single-use plastic, explains why India is the model to follow. According to her, there is widespread global expectation that PM Modi will be re-elected and that India will have stable leadership, which is essential for development.

India has emerged as a worldwide leader in climate and environmental challenges. Over a crore homes are enrolled in the significant rooftop solar initiative that PM Modi just unveiled, and new renewable energy projects are opening or going up for auction every day.

In the Gujarati desert, the Adani Group is building a 30 gigawatt wind and solar energy facility. The biggest plant of its kind in the world, this is enormous and a huge service to mankind, according to Solheim, the former Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (May 2016–November 2018).

According to Solheim, India is in a good position to mediate disputes in locations like Gaza, the Ukraine, and other countries since it has a large number of friends.

India’s opinions on any international problem will become more significant as the nation’s economy grows. He said that India ought to be admitted as a permanent member of the UN Security Council immediately.

He clarified, saying, “There is sometimes a mistake that a strong India will emerge as a copy of the West or the ‘little brother’ looking for guidance from Washington.'” This was in reference to how the West views India growing as a Global South leader under PM Modi’s leadership.

At times, the West want to include India as a counterbalance to China. The idea that India is a civilized state and that it won’t adopt any other capital than Delhi is still not well appreciated in the West.

“India will come first, and India second, under PM Modi or any other Indian leader.”

Based on Hindu dharma, Solheim claims that one of the most powerful civilizations in the world is Indian civilisation.

“In the future, a much more powerful India will interact with the world according to its own interests and ideals. Naturally, this does not mean that tight ties with China or the West are impossible.

The voice of the Global South becomes considerably more powerful as India becomes stronger. He believed that it signified the end of 200 years of Western supremacy over the world.

As for India’s efforts to safeguard the environment, regular visitor Solheim said, “Indeed! PM Modi is making green development his top priority. Since fossil fuels are now more expensive than solar, wind, and hydropower, a new development model is now feasible. Renewable energy sources are abundant in India; there’s no need to waste money on imports. India is quickly advancing to become one of the world’s foremost environmental and climatic leaders.

“Let me also say that it’s encouraging to see that the opposition and the administration both have this same vision. States in South India that have regional party administrations are also rapidly becoming green. MK Stalin in Tamil Nadu is one instance, he said.

Regarding the future of solar parks in India, he told IANS, “In January, I visited the massive solar and wind park being built by the Adani Group in the Gujarat desert, close to the Pakistani border. It’s fantastic and will provide a lot of sustainable energy. There are no conflicts with the locals or the animals since the building is taking place in a desert that is vacant.

The biggest floating solar power generating plant in the world, located in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, and the largest floating solar power production facility in North India, built by Hartek Solar near Chandigarh, were also visited by him.

These demonstrate both the Indian people’s inventiveness and the rapid pace of development in Bharat.

“India will undoubtedly overtake all other countries, including China, to become the world’s second-largest solar nation very soon,” said Solheim, who expressed more concern about American democracy than Indian one.

A record number of young people will be able to vote in the Lok Sabha election of 2024.

Consequently, he called on everyone to participate in the world’s greatest celebration of democracy, with a specific emphasis on the young.