This was PM Modi's maiden address to the 193-member UN General Assembly (Press Trust of India)
In his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, made in Hindi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was ready to engage in serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a "peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism." (
Live coverage of PM Modi's US visit)
The Prime Minister also said, "It is up to Pakistan to create the right atmosphere and come forward for bilateral talks." (
Read full text of PM Modi's UNGA address)
Raising them in the United Nations was not "the way to make progress towards resolving issues between our two countries," Mr Modi said, without making a direct reference to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's strident speech at the same global forum yesterday, when he talked about Kashmir and the two neighbours' stalled dialogue. (
PM Modi Raises Nawaz Sharif''s Kashmir Comments With UN Secretary-General)
Prime Minister Modi dwelt at length on the threat of terror globally and sought that nations put aside their differences to adopt a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. "Terrorism is taking a new shape and new name. No country, big or small, in the north or the south, east or west, is free from its threat," he said, adding that many countries were harbouring terrorists.
In his 32-minute speech to the audience of almost 200 world leaders in New York, Mr Modi made a strong pitch for multilateralism and international partnership saying "No one country or group of countries can determine the course of this world." (
PM Modi Addresses UN in Hindi, Vajpayee Style)
He asked whether nations had indeed become more united. "While we speak of an interdependent world, have we become more united as nations? Why can't we have a G-All grouping? Why is it that despite having a wonderful platform like the UN, we still operate in various Gs with different numbers?" he asked, coining a new term, now trending. (
'G-All': New Modi-ism in UN General Assembly Address)
The prime minister began his address by noting that India's "philosophy is
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (India sees the world as a family)."
He talked about Yoga, suggesting an International Yoga day, and also brought up sanitation, the lack of electricity and drinking water in many parts of the world and reforms of the UN. (
At UN, PM Modi Makes Pitch For Yoga)
UN delegates crowded around the Prime Minister to congratulate him after his speech.