PM Modi’s message to China: A friend in need is a friend indeed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told leaders of 14 Pacific Island nations on Monday invoking the old proverb and said those considered trustworthy were “not standing by our sides in times of need”, in what is being seen as an oblique reference to China.PM Modi’s message to China: A friend in need is a friend indeed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told leaders of 14 Pacific Island nations on Monday invoking the old proverb and said those considered trustworthy were “not standing by our sides in times of need”, in what is being seen as an oblique reference to China.