Modi’s statesman-like address at the UNGA enthrals the World

Proudly flaunting India’s ethos, civilizational values and culture Prime Minister Narendra Modi spelt out a globalised vision at the 74^th UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) session. As a democratically elected representative of 1.3 billion people Modi presented India’s global vision at the august UN forum.

Much to the chagrin of the pro-Pakistan lobby, Modi carefully avoided any references to Kashmir issue. Subscribing to India’s stated position regarding Kashmir as its internal issue, Modi blithely stayed clear of the issue. Refusing to succumb to Pakistan’s agenda which had held every available forum hostage to the debate on Kashmir issue, Modi demonstrated a characteristic restraint hall mark of a resilient and responsible state. India endured seven decades of Pakistan’s subterfuge, lies and deceit that sapped its vital resources, energies and stifled its economic development. Refusing to get drawn into mudslinging matches with Islamabad, Modi denied Pakistan the much-needed oxygen of international attention. Notorious as epicentre of terror, Pakistan reeling under morass of economic slowdown still seeks parity with India. By circumventing the K-issue, Modi has inconvertibly de-hyphenated India and Pakistan in the World view.

Instead of getting drawn into the Pakistan’s justification of Kashmir as a remnant of the “incomplete partition”, Modi used the platform to contemplate on India’s core civilizational strengths. He posited India as “Vishwa Guru” capable of leading the World by the sheer strength of its belief and value systems which advocate universal brotherhood. He cited three thousand year Tamil philosopher Kaniyan Pungundranar’s quote which means-“we belong to all places and to everyone”. Drawing strength from these ancient excerpts, Modi  not only invoked India’s linguistic diversity but extolled the great tradition of fraternity expounded by Indian philosophers.

As a country which gave message of peace and Buddha to the World, India is rightly is entitled to warn the World of the looming dangers of scourge of terrorism. As an advocate of counter terrorism, Modi appealed nations for collective action for the sake of humanity.

True to spirit of the UNGA, Modi spoke like a global leader from the podium and reflected on India’s journey towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda 2030. In 2015, Modi indicated that SDGs mirror India’s developmental goals and pledged to revive lives of millions battling poverty. Beseeching that it is moral responsibility of countries to eliminate poverty, provide sanitation, educational facilities and health care Modi recounted his efforts in remarkably expanding conventional developmental schemes.

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi and special significance of this year which marks 150^th birth anniversary of Father of the nation, Modi listed some major landmarks achieved which included making India Open Defecation Free (ODF), providing Universal health care, financial inclusion, Digital biometric identification, building of houses for the marginalised and improving connectivity. Underscoring his government’s agenda of “sab ka saath, sab ka vikas and sab ka vishwas” whose core objective is elimination of poverty, economic empowerment and inclusivity, he reiterated India’s resolve to make the World a better place to live.

Modi welcomed UN’s special emphasis towards climate change and spoke of India’s silent movement against ban of single use plastic, popularising renewable energy. Acclaiming India’s lowest impact on global warming, he stated India is now front runner in environment conservation. Modi elucidated India’s stellar programs towards mitigating climate change- International Solar Alliance (ISA) for popularising renewables and recently launched Coalition for Disaster and Resilient Infrastructures that extends support to developed and developing countries in building resilient infrastructure.

At the UNGA, Modi expressed India’s interest to form coalitions to evolve sustainable solutions for global challenges, expounded the need for a multilateral world. His emphatic and pragmatic vision stressing the need for having unanimity regarding terrorism is truly inspiring. He expressed empathy towards developing nations and offered to share the experiences gained in implementation of Ayushman Bharat, Swacch Bharat and Jan Dhan Yojana.

As a biggest contributor towards UN Peace Keeping missions at a time when the World is roiled in geopolitical turbulence, Modi invoked Swami Vivekananda’s message of “Harmony and Peace and not dissension”. In his short and crisp message, Modi spoke about development, global challenges, need for multilateralism, innovation and characteristically avoided any rhetoric and virtue signalling. Maintaining the sanctity and decorum of the global platform he refrained from brooking on any bilateral issues. Expressing keenness to be a global stakeholder, Modi has elevated India’s stature and emerged as a statesman in this conflict-ridden World.

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