Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the general debate of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This year, due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister's speech at the General Assembly session was a pre-recorded broadcast. The Prime Minister spoke on United Nations role against coronavirus fight, advocated for India's permanent membership at UN's decision making structures and highlighted other issues including India's role in maintaining peace in the world.
PM Modi's virtual address at 75th session of UNGA | Highlights
- PM Narendra Modi is addressing the UNGA General Debate on theme "The future we want, the UN we need, reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism, confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action."
- If we were to make an objective assesment of the performance of United Nation over the last 75 years, we see several stellar achievements. But at the same time, there are also several instances that point to the need for a serious introspection of the work of the United Nations.
- India is proud of the fact that it is one of the Founding Members of the United Nations. On this historic occasion, I have come to this global platform to share the sentiments of 1.3 billion people of India.
- Over the last 8 to 9 months, the whole world has been battling the pandemic of the coronavirus. Where is the United Nations in this joint fight against the pandemic? Where is its effective response, asked PM Modi.
- Reform in the responses, in the processes, and in the very character of the UN is the need of the hour. It is a fact that the faith and respect that the UN enjoys among the 1.3 billion people in India is unparalleled.
- But it is also true that the people of India have been waiting for a long time for the process for the reforms of the United Nations to get completed.
- Today, people of India are concerned whether this reform-process will ever reach its logical conclusion. For how long will India be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations, asks PM Modi.
- When we were strong, we were never a threat to the world, when we were weak, we never become a burden on the world. How long would a country have to wait particularly when the transformational changes happening in that country affect a large part of the world.
- India is that country, which in the course of maintaining peace, has lost the maximum number of its brave soldiers. Today every Indian, while seeing the contribution of India in UN, aspires for India’s expanded role in the United Nations.
- From India's Neighbourhood First Policy to our Act East Policy, as well as idea of security and growth for all in the region, or our views towards the Indo Pacific region, we have always worked for the interests of humankind and not driven by our own self-interests.
- India's partnerships are always guided by this very principle. Any gesture of friendship by India towards one country is not directed against any third country.
- Even during these very difficult times of the raging pandemic, the pharmaceutical industry of India has sent essential medicines to more than 150 countries.
- As the largest vaccine producing country in the world, I want to give one more assurance to the global community today. India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis.
- Starting from January next year, India will also fulfil its responsibility as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. India will always speak in support of peace, security and prosperity.
- India will not hesitate in raising its voice against the enemies of humanity, human race and human values – these include terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money-laundering.
- Large scale efforts are being made in India to promote women entrepreneurship and leadership. Indian women, today, are biggest beneficiaries of world's largest micro-financing scheme.
- India is one of those countries where women are provided paid maternity leave of 26 weeks.
- In the changed circumstances of the post-pandemic era, we are moving forward with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. A self-reliant India will also be a force multiplier for the global economy.
PM Modi's address at UNGA has come a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tried to play Islamabad's fake propaganda while raising the Kashmir issue. However, Imran Khan got an apt reply from Indian representative who exposed Islamabad blatant lies.
India in its response to Pakistan's mention during UNGA debate said, "Leader of Pakistan called for those who incite hate and violence to be outlawed. Was he referring to himself? The only dispute left in Kashmir relates to the part of Kashmir that is under illegal occupation of Pakistan."
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