In his acceptance speech, Prime Minister Modi said: “I am deeply honored to be awarded the Seoul Peace Prize I believe that this award belongs not to me personally, but to the people of India. The award belongs to the success that India has achieved in the less than five years, powered by the strengths and skills of one point three billion Indians. And so, on their behalf, I humbly accept the Award and express my gratitude. This award is a recognition of the philosophy that has given the message of “the entire world as one family.”

He specifically noted that it is very special to him that this award was given to him on 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi birth. Prime Minister Modi also mentioned that it is more important than ever to join together and “replace hate with harmony; destruction with development and transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a postcard for peace." 

Official spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs on India Raveesh Kumar tweeted that the award was dedicated to people of India. Prior recipients of the Seoul Peace Prize include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and international relief organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam. The Seoul Peace Prize was introduced to reflect the wishes of the Korean people and to crystallize their desire for everlasting peace on earth, which is to strengthen relations, enhance socio-cultural cooperation, and promote national interests. In the words of Prime Minister Modi, “we are committed to make a peaceful, stable and economically inter-linked world.”

• - https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-on-visit-to-south-korea-awarded-seoul-peace-prize-1997560
• - https://twitter.com/MEAIndia
• - https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/31080/Prime+Ministers+Acceptance+Speech+for+the+Seoul+Peace+Prize