In US, Modi to present his vision of India’s role on global platform

UNGA India wouldn’t discuss its J&K move at the forum, says govt

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will focus on India’s role in shaping the global agenda and a reformed multilateral order at the UN General Assembly, the external affairs ministry said on Thursday against the backdrop of Pakistan’s plans to rake up the Kashmir issue.

India would not discuss the scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status through the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution at the UN, and the prime minister will present his vision of India’s role on the global platform, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale told a news briefing.

Modi, who will be in the US from September 21 to 27, will first travel to Houston to participate in a roundtable with CEOs of US energy companies and “Howdy, Modi!”, a diaspora outreach event at which he will be joined by President Donald Trump.

He will then go to New York, where he will hold bilateral meetings with about 20 leaders, including one with Trump on September 24, and participate in high-level meetings such as the UN Climate Action Summit, an event on global health and a leaders’ dialogue on strategic responses to terrorism and violent extremism.

Modi will address the highlevel debate at the General Assembly on September 27, shortly before his Pakistani counterpart, Imran Khan. This will be his first address at the forum since 2014 when he made his maiden speech there.

Gokhale said the prime minister believes it is important for India to play the role expected of it in shaping the global agenda on political and socio-economic issues.

Modi will focus on India’s role on the international platform and present his vision for this, he added.

The prime minister will also reiterate India’s position that a “reformed multilateralism” must be at the centre of global politics.

Arrangements “determined half a century ago cannot be sustainable in the 21st century” and the multilateral order should reflect the “new reality” of India playing a larger role, said Gokhale. “The issue of Article 370 is an internal issue. India will not discuss it at the UN,” Gokhale said, adding the focus would not necessarily be on terrorism, which would be discussed alongside matters such as development and climate change.

India’s stance is in marked contrast to indications that the Kashmir issue will be the sole focus of Imran Khan’s address at the UN General Assembly and interactions with other leaders on the margins of the session.

Modi’s participation in two more events on September 25 – delivering the keynote address at the opening plenary of the Bloomberg Global Business Forum and an investment roundtable with 40 top US firms– will underline the importance India gives to trade and economic issues.

Gokhale said the roundtable will help get firms’ feedback about their plans in India and demonstrate the government’s business-friendly approach in attracting investments.

The prime minister will also participate in an event at the UN on September 24 commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

He will launch the Gandhi Solar Park or installation of solar panels on the roof of the UN headquarters with an Indian grant of $1 million.

Modi will receive the Global Goalkeeper Award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for his leadership of the Swachch Bharat Mission launched in 2014.

He will co-chair two meetings as part of outreach to smaller nations – the India-Pacific Island States meeting and India-Caribbean Community meeting – that will allow him to interact with leaders of 26 countries.

MODI, WHO WILL BE IN THE US FROM SEPT 21 TO 27, WILL FIRST TRAVEL TO HOUSTON FOR A ROUNDTABLE WITH CEOS OF US ENERGY COMPANIES AND THE ‘HOWDY, MODI!’ EVENT