Ready For Talks With Pakistan, But Without Shadow of Terror: Modi at UN

mangaloretoday.com/ NDTV

United Nations, Sept 27:  In his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, made in Hindi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was ready to engage in serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a "peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism."

The Prime Minister also said, "It is up to Pakistan to create the right atmosphere and come forward for bilateral talks."

 

Raising them in the United Nations was not "the way to make progress towards resolving issues between our two countries," Mr Modi said, without making a direct reference to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s strident speech at the same global forum yesterday, when he talked about Kashmir and the two neighbours’ stalled dialogue.

Raising them in the United Nations was not "the way to make progress towards resolving issues between our two countries," Mr Modi said, without making a direct reference to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s strident speech at the same global forum yesterday, when he talked about Kashmir and the two neighbours’ stalled dialogue.

rime Minister Modi dwelt at length on the threat of terror globally and sought that nations put aside their differences to adopt a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. "Terrorism is taking a new shape and new name. No country, big or small, in the north or the south, east or west, is free from its threat," he said, adding that many countries were harbouring terrorists.

In his 32-minute speech to the audience of almost 200 world leaders in New York, Mr Modi made a strong pitch for multilateralism and international partnership saying "No one country or group of countries can determine the course of this world."

He asked whether nations had indeed become more united. "While we speak of an interdependent world, have we become more united as nations? Why can’t we have a G-All grouping? Why is it that despite having a wonderful platform like the UN, we still operate in various Gs with different numbers?" he asked, coining a new term, now trending.

The prime minister began his address by noting that India’s "philosophy is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (India sees the world as a family)."

He talked about Yoga, suggesting an International Yoga day, and also brought up sanitation, the lack of electricity and drinking water in many parts of the world and reforms of the UN.

UN delegates crowded around the Prime Minister to congratulate him after his speech.


Prime Minister’s Address to UN General Assembly in 10 Points


Here are 10 highlights from PM Modi’s speech:

    Every nation’s world view is shaped by its civilization and philosophical tradition. India’s ancient wisdom sees the world as one family- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.


A nation’s destiny is linked to its neighbourhood. That is why my Government has placed the highest priority on advancing friendship and cooperation with her neighbours.

I am prepared to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism, to promote our friendship and cooperation. However, Pakistan must also take its responsibility seriously to create an appropriate environment. Raising issues in this forum is not the way to make progress towards resolving issues between our two countries.

Terrorism is taking new shape and new name. No country, big or small, in the north or the south, east or west, is free from its threat. Are we really making concerted international efforts to fight these forces, or are we still hobbled by our politics, our divisions?...We should put aside our differences and mount a concerted international effort to combat terrorism and extremism. As a symbol of this effort, I urge you to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

Today, we still operate in various Gs with different numbers. India, too, is involved in several. But, how much are we able to work together as G1 or G-All?

No one country or group of countries can determine the course of this world. There has to be a genuine international partnership. This is not just a moral position, but a practical reality.

We must reform the United Nations, including the Security Council, and make it more democratic and participative. Institutions that reflect the imperatives of 20th century won’t be effective in the 21st. It would face the risk of irrelevance; and we will face the risk of continuing turbulence with no one capable of addressing it.

When we craft agreements on international trade, we accommodate each other’s concerns and interests.

When we think of the scale of want in the world - 2.5 billion people without access to basic sanitation; 1.3 billion people without access to electricity; or 1.1 billion people without access to drinking water, we need a more comprehensive and concerted direct international action.

Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.