Modi’s ‘One Family’ Sanskrit Slogan in G-20 Spotlight
A G-20 billboard in Bhuj, Gujarat, India.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose as his theme for the Group of 20 presidency a term from Sanskrit scripture, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” emphasizing global unity.
The phrase, taken from the Hindu scripture the Maha Upanishad, means ‘The world is one family.’ It has become a mantra of India’s diplomatic lexicon. For instance, the Brookings Institute notes that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1989 cited vasudhaiva kutumbakam to challenge the concept of first, second and third worlds and revive the idea of ‘one world.’