PM Modi address UNGA, & in US

28092014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India wants to hold serious bilateral dialogues with Pakistan without the shadow of terrorism. Addressing the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York Mr Modi , said it is required that Pakistan should create an appropriate environment and come forward for bilateral talks. The Prime Minister said raising issues in this forum is not the way to make progress towards resolving issues between the two countries.

He highlighted that during the recent floods in Kashmir, India offered aid to flood hit areas of Pakistan also.The Prime Minister said his government has placed the highest priority on advancing friendship and cooperation with the neighbors.

In his maiden speech at the United Nations Prime Minister that terrorism is taking a new shape and new name and no country- big or small- is free from its threat. The Prime Minister called upon the nations to put aside their differences and mount a concerted effort to combat terrorism. He asked the UN to pass the convention on international terrorism at the earliest to unitedly contain the menace.

Highlighting the importance of multilateralism, Mr Modi said no single country or a group of few countries can decide the flow of the world.

The Prime Minister said the world body is completing 70 years of its existence next year but it needs to be looked into how it can become more credible and meaningful platform that can solve global problems. He said once should change as per the requirement of time. Mr. Modi said we should ask whether the United Nations has really united us.

He said despite having a wonderful body like UN, we have so many groups, like G-7, G-4 and willingly or unwillingly India is also part of some groups. He stressed that there should be a meaningful dialogue on this and a single G ALL group should be there. He also called upon the world body to include countries involved in security and peace keeping operations in the decision making process of the United nations be expanding its security council.

Mr. Modi also stressed the need for pursuing a more stable and inclusive global development. He said on one hand globalization has created new levels of growth and employment and on the other hand there are billions on the edge of poverty. He said development and empowerment can spread with the same speed as Facebook and Twitter spread around the world.

He said each country should decide its own path for growth and development but at the same time there is a need of genuine international partnership. He stressed that a better coordination is required so that nations become mutually supportive and not mutually damaging. He asked countries to double their efforts for the development of all.

Mr. Modi said that as a developing country, India is ready to share its modest resources with those countries that need this assistance as much India does.

Highlighting that 2.5 billion people across the globe do not have access to basic sanitation facility, 1.5 billion without electricity and 1.1 people without access to drinking water, the Prime Minister said we need a more comprehensive and concerted direct international action.

Mr. Modi emphasized that eradication of poverty must remain at the core of the post-2015 development Agenda and command our fullest attention. Stressing on the importance of Yoga in one’s life, he called upon the international leaders to adopt an International Yoga Day.

Prime minister Narendra Modi addressed young crowd last evening at the Central Park of New York during the global Citizen Festival. Delivering his address in English, he greeted the New Yorkers saying this is a great city and its citizens have shown that they care for the world outside also. Appreciating the fact the Global Citizen festival is being organized in open park and not in conference hall, Mr Modi said what they today will decide their future tomorrow.

The Prime Minister said that through this festival they are contributing to the lives of those who are not as fortunate as they are. He called upon the youth to convert their energy into action and devote their time and energy for poor people who are without education, opportunity and hope. He said he salutes them and feel proud for each one of them. Prime Minister added that 800 million youth in India have joined hands to transform their nation and give light of hope to every heart. Mr Modi called upon the gathering to work towards making available basic sanitation and health care to all. Prime Minister concluded his speech with a Sanskrit shloka.

Global citizen festival aims at raising funds to end open defecation across the globe and making available basic sanitation, education and clean water to all.