Emphasizing that diversity is the foundation of India's democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country's various languages are an important identity of its liberal and democratic society. Modi said India has progressed for centuries with dozens of languages and hundreds of dialects.

READ | PM At 'Howdy Modi': Amit Shah Says 'Historic Day In World Politics'

Languages an important identity

"Our various languages are an important identity of our liberal and democratic society. For centuries, our nation has been moving forward with dozens of languages and hundreds of dialects. Diversity is the foundation of our vibrant democracy," he said. Modi highlighted the importance of linguistic diversity at a time when Home Minister Amit Shah pitched for Hindi as a common language, which drew flak from Opposition parties. However, Shah had later clarified that he never asked for imposition of Hindi over native languages in the country but advocated its use as the second language. 

READ | 'USA Loves India!,' Declares Donald Trump After 'Howdy, Modi!' Event

Multiple languages in his speech

To highlight the linguistic diversity of India, Modi said "all is fine in India" in several Indian languages from Punjabi to Bengali to Tamil among others. "When you ask me Howdy, Modi? the only answer is 'everything is fine'," he said and then kept on repeating it in several Indian languages.

READ | Howdy Modi: Donald Trump With India Against 'Radical Islamic Terror'

READ | Howdy Modi: Donald Trump Draws 3 Parallels While Hailing US-India Ties