“America fears India’s rise, making snake-like friendships,” says Mohan Bhagwat

Mohan Bhagwat said that as India continues to progress, countries like the United States have started to feel threatened and are cleverly forming friendships with nations that actually pose a real threat to India.

New Delhi: Amid US President Donald Trump's tariff threats, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that friends have become like snakes these days. In his speech, Mohan Bhagwat said that as India is progressing, many countries are afraid of it, especially the US.

The US is thinking that if India becomes big and powerful, its interests may be harmed. Therefore, it is increasing friendship with those countries which actually pose a threat - so that pressure can be put on India.

Friends have become like snakes' - Bhagwat's metaphor

Through a story of a snake, Bhagwat tried to explain that nowadays those from whom we should be cautious (like snakes) are seen becoming our friends. He was pointing out that countries like the US, which were once against India, are now talking about friendship - but the intention behind it is not right.

Story of Tathagata (Buddha) and the snake

Bhagwat narrated an ancient story in which it was told that a poisonous snake used to scare people on the way. When Tathagata (Lord Buddha) passed by, the snake did not harm him, but calmed down and gave way. This gave the message that when a person knows himself, recognizes his inner strength, he rises above fear and violence.

Snakes have now become friends of nature

Bhagwat said that in today's time people have become wise. Now snakes are not seen from the point of view of superstition, but they are considered a part of nature. In the same way, if we see others not as enemies but as allies, then the feeling of fear and insecurity can also end.

'What am I' - the importance of self-realization

He said that this question arises in every person's mind that "Who am I really?" and "What will happen after the body?" - this is the subject of self-realization. People who are not in the Sangha also think like this. With self-realization, a person thinks big and moves forward with confidence.

The world listens to those who are powerful

At the end of his speech, Bhagwat reiterated that the world listens to those who are "built" — that is, those who are powerful, developed and self-reliant. Therefore, India as a country has to become self-reliant and play a big role at the global level.