People understand what is good for them in the long run. In the long run, what is good for people is that India's economy continues to grow at clipping pace, 8% and above, that itself brings host of benefits to the people. It brings better roads, it brings better schools, brings more money to the communities, it brings more jobs.

- P. Chidambaram

Two successive commissioners in London police were fired by the mayor that came into office. That doesn't mean the police in London is not independent and does not exercise powers. Ultimately it is the political executive that has to answer.

- P. Chidambaram

We cannot afford to leave the poor behind.

- P. Chidambaram

The voter does not vote only on one issue, the voter votes on a multiplicity of issues.

- P. Chidambaram

The police force cannot be completely independent of the executive government.

- P. Chidambaram

Police can only act on intelligence.

- P. Chidambaram

I don't think we should label budgets even before the budget is presented.

- P. Chidambaram

Growth is a panacea for many ills in society; not entirely, but many.

- P. Chidambaram

People are wiser than we are willing to attribute to them.

- P. Chidambaram

In income tax, there is no case for amnesty.

- P. Chidambaram

I respect the view of a rating agency, but I do not make a budget for the rating agency. I make a budget for the people of India.

- P. Chidambaram

Today, to allege corruption seems to be the pastime of most people. All kinds of allegations are leveled. I think it is self-defeating.

- P. Chidambaram

Independence is a very subjective assessment.

- P. Chidambaram

I have maintained that the people of India are ahead of their governments. The people of India are at least 10 to 15 years ahead of their governments.

- P. Chidambaram

'Big business' was a bad phrase in India. To be accused of being big business was the worst accusation you could make. All that has gone now. The whole mindset has changed.

- P. Chidambaram

Let me tell you, very frankly, when I went to the Harvard Business School I was more or less a committed socialist.

- P. Chidambaram

I think people respect governments that take decisions and act decisively.

- P. Chidambaram

Evidence points out that if you raise tariffs too much it will increase smuggling.

- P. Chidambaram

When I came back to India after Harvard Business School, I started as a lawyer and as a trade union leader.

- P. Chidambaram

It is possible that, post-Kyoto, the developed countries will recognise the requirements of the developing world.

- P. Chidambaram