At UN, Modi urges world to unite against terrorism and collectively take action

PM Narendra Modi talks of India's tradition of maintaining peace, plays up efforts to reduce usage of single-use plastic and conserve water.

PM Narendra Modi | Twitter: @ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday urged the world to unite against the threat of terror that, he added, continues to divide countries and claim human lives.

In a relatively short speech at the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister said India has a tradition of peacekeeping and a tradition of maintaining peace.

“We are the nation that has given the world not war but Buddhas (yudh nahin buddh),” he said, even as he added that India’s strength lies in its culture.

He also said the India of today has taken the lead in harnessing renewable energy, uniting the world for disaster management and is among the highest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions.

 

‘Terrorism has divided the world’

Without naming Pakistan, the Prime Minister said terrorism has divided the world today, which was the basic tenet based on which United Nations was established.

“For the sake of humanity, it is imperative for the world to unite against the rise of terrorism,” Modi added.

But not only did the Prime Minister not name Pakistan, he even refrained from mentioning “cross-border terrorism”, an issue he has highlighted at every global forum.

This comes after US President Donald Trump repeatedly stated that he sees a bigger terror threat in Iran than Pakistan.

‘India taking lead in water conservation’

The PM also spoke of his big mandate in the general elections, which, he added, continues to “inspire” him.

He said India will continue to promote “Jan Bhagidari to Jan Kalyan to Jag Kalyan (Public partnership to public welfare to welfare of the world)”.

“Now, India is taking the lead in two other major global challenges — conserving water and reducing single-use plastic,” Modi said.

He also spoke of India building 11 crore toilets in five years, access to quality and affordable healthcare to 50 crore people and opening of 37 crore bank accounts.