Only dialogue can end conflict: Modi
PM’S MESSAGE Stresses ‘Asia’s oldest tradition’ of debate is needed to eradicate religious stereotypes and prejudices
The ancient Indian concept of Tarka Shastra is founded on dialogue and debate as the model for views exchange and avoidance of conflict
Minister Narendra Modi underscored on Saturday the virtues of a dialogue to fight global challenges such as terrorism and climate change and to eradicate religious prejudices that cause conflicts across the world.
“I am a product of the ancient Indian tradition that firmly believes in dialogue on difficult issues,” he said in a video message to the second edition of SamvadGlobal Initiative on Conflict Avoidance and Environment Consciousness in Yangon.
His remarks came in the backdrop of India’s standoff with China along the Sikkim border and when religious tensions are being reported from across the country over cow slaughter.
“The ancient Indian concept of Tarka Shastra is founded on dialogue and debate as the model for exchange of views and avoidance of conflict,” he said.
Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj too had pitched for bilateral talks to defuse the IndiaChina crisis. She said in Parliament on Thursday that war is not a solution and diplomacy can resolve problems.
The two Asian giants have a protracted border dispute and tension flared up in mid-June over Doklam in the Sikkim sector, located at a narrow but strategically important tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.
Besides, irritants such as Beijing blocking India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group and New Delhi boycotting president Xi Jinping’s signature one-road, one-belt initiative have also hit ties.
Prime Minister Modi will visit China in September to address a summit of the five-nation BRICS bloc. BRICS is short for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the countries in the group.
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Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday urged businesses to pass on the benefits of the goods and services tax (GST) to consumers.
Underlining that many businesses have not been passing on the input credit benefit to the consumers, Jaitley said state screening committees will be set up in the next 15 days to monitor the situation and act as deterrents.
“We hope we are not pushed to constitute the authority immediately,” the minister said after chairing the 20th GST Council meeting, the first one after the rollout of the new tax structure in the country.
The GST council gave its in-principle approval for the e-way bill that mandates pre-registration for movement of goods for more than 10 km for sale.
The bill, which will be generated electronically, will be applicable for consignments of over ~50,000 only, but not for exempt goods.
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