Modi hits Pak, China at UNGA without naming them

Story by  Aasha Khosa | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing UNGA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing UNGA

 

New Delhi

In what was his shortest and yet the most profound address to the world from the platform of the United nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister Narendra Modi today made a pitch for ensuring that the “delicate situation in Afghanistan is not allowed to be used by any country for its own gains; and Afghan soil is not used to spread terrorism and for launching terror strikes.”

Modi however, added the world has a responsibility towards the hapless people of Afghanistan – children, women, minorities. “They all need help and we must fulfil our responsibility towards them.’

Modi touched the contentious issues like Pakistan’s support of terrorism and China’s escapades in his speech without naming either or for that matter even the Taliban.

He said, “Countries with regressive thinking that are seeking to terrorism as a political tool too must realize that they too face threat from terror.”

After explaining how India was adopting technology in all spheres of life including the banking inclusion and innovations in schools – including the proposed launch of 75 satellite developed by school and college students - Modi regretted that “forces of regressive thinking and extremism are on the rise and pose a threat to the world order.

He asked the world community to act on this and ensure that science based, rationale and progressive thinking must become the basis of the development in the world.

He outlined the Indian value system based on democracy and human values, Modi said” democracy always works.” This was clearly an oblique reference to China.

He took on China in many ways during his speech without naming the country.

Seeking an effective world order, Modi said the United Nations Security Council has to play its role and act in time to stay relevant and credible. He blamed the UNSC for not being seen as “effective while tracing the origins of the Covid pandemic.”

Prime Minister quoted Philosopher Chanakya to make a point for a permanent seat for India in the UN Security Council. He said the UNSC has to undergo reforms to adapt to the changed times. Hinting that it was already late for the world to give India its due, he said, “an idea not executed in time is made unsuccessful by the time itself.”

He ended his speech with Nobel Laureate Rabinder Nath Tagore’s poem ‘Shubho kormo pothe dhoro nirbhoy gaan, shob durbol shongshoy hok oboshaan’."

These are the first two sentences of the song that translate to — “Boldly move forward on your auspicious path of action, May all weaknesses and doubts vanish."

PM Modi said, “This message is as relevant in the context of today for the United Nations as it is for every responsible country. I believe all our efforts will increase peace and harmony in the world, make the world healthy, safe and prosperous."