2007 (just before becoming prime minister): “I could never compare myself to Gandhi or those other heroes of mine but I do take inspiration from the way that they dealt with the challenges they faced when I think about how I will deal with the challenges the country and the world faces, including the security challenge.” (Guardian, 19 January 2007)
2009: “I want to write something at some point about the contribution of Gandhi to our civilisation. I think he was one of the great leaders of the 20th century…. he won support because people could see his moral integrity.” (Garavi Gujarat, 2 August 2009)
2010: “I can’t be in politics and be a pacifist.” (The Times magazine, 10 April 2010)