Modi talks peace & harmony, Imran war at the world stage

PM highlights development programmes, says terrorism a global challenge

NEWYORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted India’s ambitious development and social welfare programmes, pitched for a reformed multilateral world order, and asserted India’s determination to fight terrorism, which he described as one of humanity’s biggest challenges, while stressing on the values of peace and harmony.

Modi’s address to the UN General Assembly, as officials had said well in advance, made no reference to the Kashmir issue or tensions with Pakistan, and the Prime Minister instead focused on how India’s implementation of the world’s largest sanitation, health insurance and financial inclusion schemes could serve as an inspiration for others.

In contrast, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who spoke shortly after Modi, largely focused on the Kashmir issue and repeatedly spoke about tensions between the two countries triggering a confrontation or war that could see the use of nuclear weapons.

Modi said he was proud to address the world body on behalf of 1.3 billion Indians after his government received a greater mandate than before in the largest election in the world’s biggest democracy. The occasion was also special as the world is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, whose message of truth and non-violence continues to be relevant for global peace and development. “There are 900,000 troops there. They haven’t come, as Narendra Modi says, for the prosperity of Kashmir... These 900,000 troops, what are they going to do? When they come out? There will be a bloodbath”