Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India's diversity is its "strength and pride" and stressed on the importance of peaceful coexistence. Modi, who is under attack by critics over growing intolerance in the country, said, "India is not only what is seen in newspapers. India, with its 125 crore people, is much bigger and better with a preeminent position beyond the screen of television."

Modi was addressing thousands of people at London's Wembley Stadium on Friday. The event, "Two Great Nations, One Glorious Future", saw between 50,000-60,000 people in attendance, mostly of Indian origin, according to PTI. This was the biggest gathering Modi has addressed since he assumed office in May 2014.

The prime minister said that India harboured poverty for no reason and that with 65% of the population below the age of 35, nobody could put a stop to the country's development. He added that India is working towards two goals – clean India and electricity for all – promising that it would be achieved soon. Stating that foreign direct investment into India has increased by 40%, he said this showed the increasing international confidence in the country as well.

Modi also said that India would take the lead in showing the world how to deal with climate change at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris later this month. He said he would host a meeting of countries rich in solar energy resources in order to help tap it.