Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 74th session of the UN General Assembly today and said the world needs to unite and have a consensus on fighting terrorism.
"Terrorism is one of the biggest challenges before humanity," PM Modi said in a 20-minute speech. PM Modi, the fourth speaker on the fourth day of the general debate, took the stage in the iconic hall at the UN headquarters in New York around 7:34 pm Indian time.
The Prime Minister also spoke about fighting climate change. PM Modi highlighted India's big contribution to fighting climate change despite being one of the lowest emitters of carbon emissions.
"Per capita wise India's contribution to global warming is very low, but we are a leading nation in mitigation plans," PM Modi said in his address.
Prime Minister Modi held a number of bilateral meetings with top world leaders like US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of his UN address.
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had said PM Modi's UNGA speech "will focus on what the high-level segment of the UNGA is meant to focus on which is - as an important economy, as an important country, as a responsible member of the UN - PM will flag what we are doing for development, for security, for peace and our expectations and aspirations of other countries."
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also addressed the UN General Assembly on Friday. Mr Khan spoke about Kashmir and had earlier said he will "forcefully present the Kashmir issue like never before" in his address.
Here are the live updates of PM Modi's UNGA speech:
Our efforts are keeping 130 crore Indians at the center, but the dreams for which these efforts are being made are of the whole world, of every country, of every society. Efforts are for us, the results are for everyone, for the whole world: PM Modi #PMModiAtUN pic.twitter.com/d125FvpPBv
- BJP (@BJP4India) September 27, 2019
Swami Vivekananda had given a message of Harmony and Peace to the Parliament of Religions and not dissension. The world's biggest democracy still has the same message for the world: Harmony and Peace
We have given the world Buddha, not yuddha (war). That's why there is sincerity and anger towards combating terrorism. Terrorism is one of the world's biggest challenges in front of humanity. Terrorism hurts the principles on which UN was built. That's why the world needs to unite, have a consensus to combat terrorism. A divided world is in no one's interest. We must give a thrust to multilateralism and reforming the UN.
Global warming has also increased the frequency and ferocity of natural disaster. That's why we have formed the CDRI. I invite the world to join this coalition. India has sacrificed the most for UN's peacekeeping missions.
The issues India is raising, the new institutions India is forming for the world, they are a response to the crises in front of the world today. If you look at per-capita emission, India's contribution to global warming has been very low but India is at the forefront of the response. India is working on a target of 450 GW renewable energy, we have also formed the International Solar Alliance.
This year the whole world is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. His message of truth and non-violence is very relevant for us even today for peace, progress and development of the world: PM Modi #PMModiAtUN pic.twitter.com/GNIEQTSEb8
- BJP (@BJP4India) September 27, 2019
While coming here, I read on the wall of the United Nations building - "No more single use plastic".
- BJP (@BJP4India) September 27, 2019
I am happy to tell the gathering that while I am addressing you today, even at this time, we are running a big campaign to free India from single-use plastic: PM Modi #PMModiAtUN pic.twitter.com/CMbiB0NoVd
We are working not to show off but out of a sense of responsibility. The efforts may be ours but the results will be for the entire world. Learning about other developing nations only strengthens my resolve to work more for my country's progress.
How are we able to do this? How is India changing so rapidly? India is a thousands of year old civilization. We are working not just for the welfare of our people, we are working for welfare of the world. That's why our motto is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.
We are running a huge water conservation campaign. In 2022, when India celebrates 75 years of independence, we will build 2 crore homes for poor.
"Before coming here, I read on the walls of the UN: 'No more single use plastic'. I am delighted to tell you that we in India are running a huge campaign to stop single use plastic," PM Modi says amid roaring applause.
When a developing nation successfully runs a the world's largest financial inclusion programme then it creates hope for all the world's poor. When a developing nation runs the world's largest digital identity programme, ensures them their rights, saves nearly $20 billion, it presents a new hope to the world.
Watch Live! https://t.co/neibEQgGTK
- PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 27, 2019
When a developing nation successfully runs the world's biggest sanitation programme, builds 11 crore toilets in just five years, it sends an inspiration message to the world. When a developing nation runs the world's health assurance scheme covers 50 crore people then it shows the world a new direction.
The world's biggest elections were held in the world's biggest democracy. I was elected with the highest number of votes in the world. I am here among you with that mandate.
Pakistan has been trying to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums after India withdrew the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, enforcing severe security restrictions and a communications blackout. New Delhi has snubbed the efforts, asserting that revoking Jammu and Kashmir's privileges was its "internal matter".
All set for the @UN General Assembly session!
- PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 27, 2019
The speech of PM @narendramodi begins shortly. Do watch it LIVE. pic.twitter.com/63fWbgG0b7
The theme of this year's general debate at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly or UNGA is "Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion".
