Narendra Modi UNGA Speech LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday in New York urged all the world’s nations to unite in the fight against terrorism, saying that it was the greatest threat to humanity and the biggest global challenge.
In the 20-minute address, the Prime Minister did not mention Pakistan but focused firmly on terror, saying lack of unanimity on the issue dents those very principles that are the basis for the creation of UN. Noting that India is a country, that has given the world, not war, but Buddha’s message of peace, Modi said, “And that is the reason why, our voice against terrorism, to alert the world about this evil, rings with seriousness and the outrage.”
“And that is why, for the sake of humanity, I firmly believe, that it is absolutely imperative, that the world unites against terrorism, and that the world stands as one against terrorism,” he asserted.
The speech also highlighted the reform agenda of his government, as the PM spoke at length about actions taken to tackle climate change, as well as health and cleanliness initiatives.
His address was just a short while before his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan, who is expected to speak around 9pm IST. The speech came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. It capped an eventful week for Prime Minister Modi in the United States, during which he held a number of bilateral meetings with top world leaders like US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The Prime Minister addressed the General Assembly in Hindi. “Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion” is this year’s theme at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.
Since its participation as a founding member of the UN in 1945, India has shown unwavering commitment to multilateralism to advance peace and security and promote broad-based inclusive economic growth and development in the world, the prime minister said last week in his departure statement.
“There are many pressing challenges for the international community — a still fragile global economy, turbulence and tension in many parts of the world, growth and spread of terrorism, climate change and the endemic global challenge of poverty.
“They require stronger global commitment and concerted multilateral action. I will reiterate our commitment to reformed multilateralism, which is responsive, effective and inclusive, and in which India plays her due role,” Modi had said in his departure statement last week.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will also address the UN General Assembly on Friday. While Modi is the fourth speaker for the day, Khan is the seventh. Khan has said that he will “forcefully present the Kashmir issue like never before” in his address at the UNGA session.
Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the Kashmir issue after India withdrew the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, but New Delhi has asserted the abrogation of Article 370 was its “internal matter”.
“If they (Pakistan) wish to dwell on this issue in the speech by their Prime Minister, they are welcome to do so,” Gokhale had said. “Article 370 is an internal issue, there will be no discussion on it in the UN, we will have no discussion on it,” he said last week in response to a question.
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