PM Narendra Modi, in a conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman, said whenever we speak of peace, world listens to us because India is land of Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. He said his strength comes not from his name but from the support of 1.4 billion Indians and the nation’s cultural heritage.
In a rare, in-depth conversation on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on his personal journey, leadership ethos, and India’s growing stature on the global stage. The discussion, rich in philosophy and insight, offered a deeper understanding of the values and ideas that shape the country’s top leadership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Conversation with Lex Fridman: Key Highlights
India’s global role and philosophy
PM Modi opened the conversation by highlighting the moral foundation of India’s global role. “Whenever we speak of peace, the world listens to us—because India is the land of Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi,” he said, adding that India’s civilizational values give it a unique voice in global diplomacy.
Leadership rooted in cultural values
He also emphasized that his strength as a leader comes not from his position but from the people. “When I shake hands with world leaders, it’s not Modi but 1.4 billion Indians doing so,” he said. “My strength lies not in my name, but in the backing of 1.4 billion Indians and the country’s timeless culture and heritage.”
Influence of RSS on personal and public life
Modi spoke candidly about his early association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the organization that, he said, gave direction to his life. “I feel fortunate that I learned the essence and values of life from such an esteemed organisation like the RSS. I got a life of purpose,” he noted. Recalling his childhood, he said, “It always felt nice to attend RSS gatherings. I always had one aim in mind—to be of use to the country. This is what the Sangh taught me.”
He described the RSS, which completes 100 years this year, as the world’s largest volunteer organisation. “Understanding the RSS is not easy; one needs to understand its functioning. It gives its members a purpose in life.”
Education and social service as pillars of nation building
The Prime Minister highlighted the RSS’s contributions beyond politics—particularly in education and social service. Referring to the Vidya Bharati initiative, he said, “Some members of the RSS introduced Vidya Bharati to bring about a revolution in education. They run 70,000 schools across the country, and 30 lakh students attend them at a time.”
He also offered a sharp contrast between ideological approaches to labour movements. “Leftists say, ‘Workers of the world, unite,’ but the RSS-inspired labour movement says, ‘Workers, unite the world’,” he remarked, drawing attention to the Sangh’s broader mission of social harmony and national development.
India’s voice in the world
Throughout the podcast, PM Modi reiterated that India’s growing influence in the world stems not merely from its economic or geopolitical might, but from its values-driven leadership. “India’s voice is heard today not because of assertiveness, but because of authenticity,” he said.
