Modi cautions world against the growing ‘arc of violence’
Minister Narendra Modi on Friday cautioned the international community against the growing “arc of violence” and said the biggest challenge to world peace is from mindsets rooted in hate and violence, and not from conflict between the nation states.
Speaking as the chief guest at the International Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo, Modi said the ideologies of hate and their proponents in the region are closed to notion of dialogue and hence only open to causing death and destruction.
“The menace of terrorism in our region is a concrete manifestation of this destructive emotion,” he said, apparently referring to Pakistan, which is accused of aiding and training terrorists who carry out attacks inside India.
“The biggest challenge to sustainable world peace today is not necessarily from conflict between the nation states,” he said, adding it was from the mindsets, thought streams, entities and instruments rooted in the idea of hate and violence.
Modi said he believes that “Buddhism’s message of peace is the answer to growing arc of violence all over the world.”
Lord Buddha’s message is as relevant in the 21st century as it was two and a half millennia ago, Modi told the audience which included Sri Lankan President Maithripala Srisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, diplomats, politicians and several Buddhist leaders from across the world.
“Our region is blessed to have given to the world the invaluable gift of Buddha and his teachings,” he said, adding that Buddhism and its various strands are deep seated in “our governance, culture and philosophy.”
The themes of social justice and sustainable world peace, chosen for the Vesak day, resonate deeply with Buddha’s teachings; they are both deeply interdependent and interconnected, Modi said.
Modi assured India’s support to Sri Lanka for the island’s nation-building endeavours.