No Dialogue under shadow of terror NaMo tells Pak

New York: In a tough message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Pakistani leadership from the UN, that India was ready to have dialogue with Pakistan but it cannot be under the shadow of terrorism.

He also took a dig at Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for raising the Kashmir issue at the UN, saying that raising such issues at this forum will not help and instead Pakistan should focus on flood relief in Kashmir under its control

Speaking in chaste hindi, the Namoism was visible in his maiden speech at the UN general assembly here in New York.   The Prime Minister was at ease, and dressed in a blue bandhgala suit with a red pocket square, he hit out at countries supporting terrorism.

Some countries are harbouring terrorists and when we hear good terrorism and bad terrorism then we have questions about it. Some countries have  made it an instrument of state policy. We need to have a concerted effort to tackle terrorism and a comprehensive convention on terrorism should be adopted soon.  

We welcome the action against IS, but this must be in coordination with all the countries in the region, he told the UN general assembly. 

 

Sea, Space and cyber space have become areas of conquest. It was a clear dig at China’s aggressive stance in the South China sea. We talk about an interdependent world but  we are divided into various G groups, he said accepting that even India was part of many of them. Clearly emphasising that the UN needs to be more effective and needs to infuse trust amongst member states. 

 

Invoking the idea of India, he said that India stood for world peace and promoted the concept of Vasudeva Kutumbakam the entire world is our friend, Modi spoke extempore but was mindful of his talking points and referred to his prepared speech considering that he was speaking at a global forum. Earlier he paid tribute and offered yellow flowers at the 9/11 monument at the freedom tower in New York ahead of his speech.

 

Here are the highlights of Modi’s maiden address at the UNGA:

• As India’s Prime Minister, it is a great honour to address you for the first time
• I am aware of hopes and aspirations of people of India. I also know what the world expects from the 1.25 billion people of India.
• Every nation has their own philosophy. I am not talking about ideology. This philosophy guides the nation. India’s is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
• Today the flags of 193 nations are flying here. We have achieved a lot in the last decades
• We have firm belief in multilateralism. Our focus is on dignity and opportunity.
• India has always raised its voice for justice, dignity and opportunity
• Our future is linked very closely with our neighbours. That is why from first day we extended hand of friendship to our neighbours.
• Am prepared to engage in serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful and violence free atmosphere
• It is also up to Pakistan to create the right atmosphere and come forward for bilateral talks
• Terrorism is appearing in new forms and no country – big or small – is free from it
• Good terrorism, bad terrorism raises questions on our sincerity to fight terrorism
• In very important spheres we are seeing new tensions
• Why is it that despite having a wonderful platform like UN we have had to have the various G platforms
• We need to think how to create a G-all atmosphere when UN is about to celebrate its 70 years
• Come let us work towards peace
• We need to respond to the demands of our times. One nation can’t dictate the world.
• We have to give full strength to UN peacekeeping
• Basic sanitation is not available to millions of people, nor is electricity and drinking water available
• When we craft agreements on international trade we should accommodate each other’s concerns and interests
• When we talk of holistic health care or going back to back to basics, I want to particularly mention Yoga
• This is not merely a form of exercise, we should begin work towards an International Yoga Day