YouSaid · the spoken record

Narendra Modi

lines on the record: 57
first: 2014-09-24
most recent: 2021-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I am confident that our efforts will enhance peace and harmony in the world and make the world healthy, safe and prosperous.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The proxy wars being waged in many parts of the world, terrorism and the recent Afghan crisis have further highlighted the seriousness of those questions. In terms of both the origins of COVID-19 and the rankings on the ease of doing business, global governance institutions have damaged the credibility they had built — the result of decades of hard work. It is essential that we persevere in strengthening the United Nations in order to safeguard global order, global laws and global values. I would like to end my address with the words of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore: “Boldly proceed on your path of good deeds; may you overcome all weaknesses and doubts.” In the current context, that message is as relevant to every responsible nation as it is to the United Nations.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We must protect them from the race towards expansion and exclusion. The international community must speak with one voice to strengthen a rules-based world order. The broad consensus reached in the Security Council during India’s presidency shows the world the way forward in maritime security. Hundreds of years ago, Chanakya, the great diplomat of India, said that, when the right action is not taken at the right time, then it is time itself that causes the action to fail. If the United Nations wants to remain relevant, it will need to improve its effectiveness and enhance its reliability. Today all kinds of questions are being raised about the United Nations. We have heard such questions raised in relation to the climate crisis as well as in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“On the other hand, countries with regressive thinking are using terrorism as a political tool. Those countries must understand that terrorism represents an equally grave threat to them. It is absolutely essential to ensure that Afghanistan’s territory not be used to spread terrorism or for terrorist attacks. We also need to be alert and ensure that no country tries to take advantage of the delicate situation there and use it as a tool for its own selfish interests. At this time, the people of Afghanistan, particularly its women, children and minorities, need help. We must fulfil our duty by providing them with that help. Our oceans are also our shared heritage. That is why we must bear in mind the need to, use and not abuse, ocean resources. Our oceans are also the lifeline of international trade.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“We are answerable to future generations when they ask what was done by the people whose responsibility it was to give direction to the world when it was time to take decisions. Today the world faces an increased threat of regressive thinking and extremism. In such a situation, the entire world must make scientific, rational and progressive thinking the basis for development. In order to strengthen a science-based approach, India is promoting experience-based learning. Thousands of Atal Tinkering Laboratories have been set up in Indian schools. We have also set up incubators, and a strong start-up ecosystem has been developed. On the occasion of the seventy-fifth year of its independence, when we celebrate the Azadi Ka Amrit festival, India will launch 75 satellites made by Indian students in schools and colleges.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“To that end, the expansion of global value chains is necessary. Our Atmanirbhar Bharat, or “self-reliant India”, movement is inspired by that very spirit. India is becoming a democratic and reliable partner for global industrial diversification, and in that context has struck a better balance between both economy and ecology. I am sure that everyone here is also proud of the efforts made by India on climate change as compared to those made by large developed nations. Today India has advanced with great speed towards its target of generating 450 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. We have also started to work on making India the world’s largest green hydrogen hub.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Deeply conscious of its responsibility towards humankind, India has resumed the process of providing vaccines to those who need it in the world. Today I also extend an invitation to vaccine manufacturers from across the world to come and make vaccines in India. All of us are well aware of how important technology is in the lives of people today. However, in this ever- changing world, it is equally important to ensure that technology is applied with democratic values. No matter which country the doctors, innovators, engineers and managers of Indian origin live in, our democratic values inspire them to continue serving humankind. That is indeed a spirit we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has also taught the world another important lesson — that the global economy needs to be diversified even further.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“More than 3.5 billion transactions are completed every month in India through our unified payment interface. India’s vaccine delivery platform, CoWIN, offers digital support to register the administration of millions of vaccine doses in a single day. India, which puts into practice the principle of Seva Parmo Dharma, meaning “service is the highest religion”, today spares no effort in vaccine development and manufacturing, despite its limited resources. I would like to inform the General Assembly that India has developed the world’s first DNA vaccine, which can be administered to anyone above the age of 12. Another vaccine — a messenger RNA vaccine — is in the final stages of development. Indian scientists are also working on the development of a nasal vaccine against COVID-19.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“In the most developed countries, there are many people who do not have property rights to their homes or land. Today we use drones in India to map more than 600,000 villages. By doing so, we give people digital records of their homes and land, which will not only reduce property disputes but also give people increased access to credit and bank loans. Today every sixth person in the world is Indian. When Indians make progress, it also gives impetus to the development of the world. When India grows, the world grows. When India reforms, the world transforms. The science- and technology-based innovations taking place in India can make a big contribution to the world. Both the scalability of our technology solutions and their cost-effectiveness are unparalleled.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Today more than 360 million people who previously could not even have imagined it was possible now have the security of insurance coverage. By giving more than 500 million people free treatment in hospitals, India has provided them with access to quality health services. By building 30 million proper homes, India has made homeless families homeowners. Polluted water is a very big problem, not just for India but for the entire world, in particular for poor and developing countries. In order to address that challenge in India, we have launched a broad campaign to ensure that piped clean water reaches more than 170 million homes. Reputed institutions of the world have said that, for the development of any country, people must have property rights to their homes and land — that is, ownership records are a must.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Today is the birthday of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, who propounded the philosophy of Ekatma Manav Darshan, which translates into integral humanism or the development journey undertaken together and the expansion from the self to the universe, whereby the self moves from the individual to society, the nation and all humankind. This philosophy is dedicated to the concept of Antyodaya — the modern- day equivalent of leaving no one behind. It is with that principle in mind that India today is moving forward on the path of integrated equitable development. Our priority is that development should be all-inclusive, all- pervasive, universal and one that nurtures all. In the past seven years, India has brought more than 430 million people who were previously unbanked into the banking system.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“India is a country that counts dozens of languages and hundreds of dialects, distinct ways of life and cuisines. That is the best example of a vibrant democracy. The strength of our democracy is demonstrated by the fact that a little boy who at one time used to help his father at his tea stall at a railway station is today addressing the General Assembly for the fourth time as Prime Minister of India. I will soon have spent 20 years serving my people as Head of Government — as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as Prime Minister for the past seven years. Based on my own experience, yes, democracy can deliver. Yes, democracy has delivered.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“First of all, I would like to formally congratulate you, Sir, on assuming the office of President of the General Assembly. Your becoming President is a matter of pride for all developing countries, in particular small island developing States. For the past one and a half years, the world has been grappling with the worst pandemic it has seen in 100 years. I pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives during the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and express my condolences to their families. I represent a country that is proud to be known as the mother of democracy. We have a great tradition of democracy that dates back thousands of years. On 15 August, India began the seventy-fifth year of its independence. Our diversity accounts for the nature of our strong democracy.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“I am confident that on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, the United Nations and its member countries will endeavour with a strong commitment to maintain the relevance of this great institution. Stability in the United Nations and empowerment of the United Nations are essential for the welfare of the world. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, let us once again pledge to dedicate ourselves for the welfare of the world. Thank you.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Today, it is also being ensured that there is no discrimination in extending the benefits of all the schemes and initiatives to every citizen of the country. Large scale efforts are being made in India to promote Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership. Indian women, today, are the biggest beneficiaries of the largest Micro Financing Scheme of the world. India is one of those countries where women are provided Paid Maternity Leave of 26 weeks. In India, the rights of transgenders are also being secured through necessary legal reforms. Your Excellency, In its journey towards progress, India wants to learn from the world as well as share its own experiences with the world.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“This again was not an easy task. But India was able to do this. Today, India is one of the leaders in Digital Transactions. Today, India is providing Digital Access to its millions of citizens, and in the process ensuring empowerment and transparency. Today, we have also launched an ambitious campaign for a Tuberculosis free India by 2025. Today, India is implementing a programme for providing piped drinking water to 150 million rural households. Just a few days ago India has initiated a huge project for connecting its 600,000 villages with broadband optical fibre. Your Excellency, In the changed circumstances of the post-pandemic era, we are moving forward with the vision of a “Self-reliant India”. A Self-reliant India will also be a Force Multiplier for the Global Economy.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“India’s experiences, and India’s developmental journey marked with its ups and downs will only add to strengthening the path to global welfare. Your Excellency, Following the mantra of Reform-Perform-Transform, India has made great efforts to bring about transformation in the lives of millions of its citizens. These experiences are as useful for many countries of the world as they have been for us. In just about 4-5 years, India has brought over 400 million people into the formal financial sector. This was not an easy task. But India has proved that it can be done. In just about 4-5 years, 600 million people have been freed from open defecation. This was not an easy task.jsIpjBut India has achieved it. Within just about 2-3 years, more than 500 million people have been provided access to free health care services.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Your Excellency, Starting from January next year, India will also fulfil its responsibility as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. I express my gratitude to all fellow members states who have bestowed this trust upon India. As the world’s largest democracy we will bring our years of rich developmental experience for the benefit of the whole world. Our way forward is to proceed from human welfare to the welfare of the World. 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. India’s cultural heritage, tradition, thousands of years of experience will always stand in good stead for the developing countries.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“When India strengthens its development partnership, it is not with any malafide intent of making the partner country dependent or hapless. We have never hesitated from sharing experiences of our development. Your Excellency, 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 of 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. In India and in our neighbourhood, we are moving ahead with phase 3 clinical trials in India. India will also help all the countries in enhancing their cold chain and storage capacities for the delivery of the Vaccines.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The initiatives for the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the International Solar Alliance are realities today due to efforts of India. India has always thought about the interests of the whole humankind and not about its own vested interests. This philosophy has always been the driving force of India’s policies. From India’s Neighbourhood First Policy to our Act East Policy, as well as the idea of Security and Growth for All in the Region, or our views towards the Indo Pacifc 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.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Within the halls of the United Nations, one has often heard the words “the world is one family”. We treat the whole world as one family. It is part of our culture, character and thinking. In the United Nations too, India has always given priority to the welfare of the whole world. India is the country, which sent its brave soldiers to about 50 peacekeeping missions the world over to keep peace. 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 the United Nations, aspires for India’s expanded role in the United Nations. Excellency, On 2 October, India initiated the ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ and on 21 June India initiated ‘International Day of Yoga’.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“This is a country, which is the largest democracy of the world; This is a country with more than 18 per cent of the world population; This is a country, which has hundreds of languages, hundreds of dialects, many sects, and many ideologies; This is a country, which was a leading global economy for centuries and also one which has endured hundreds of years of foreign rule. Excellency, When we were strong, we were never a threat to the world, when we were weak, we never become a burden on the world. Your Excellency, How long would a country have to wait particularly when the transformational changes happening in that country affect a large part of the world? Your Excellency, The ideals on which the United Nations was founded and India’s own fundamental philosophy has a lot of commonality. They are not different from each other.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Your Excellency, Reform in the responses, in the processes, and in the very character of the United Nations is the need of the hour. It is a fact that the faith and respect that the United Nations 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?”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“But we cannot deny that there have been several wars, and many more civil wars. Several terrorist attacks shook the world and rivers of blood have continued to flow by. In these wars and in these attacks, the people who died, they are people just like you and me. Hundreds and thousands of children, who would have otherwise enriched this world with their presence, have left us prematurely. So many people have lost their entire life savings and have become homeless refugees. During those times and even today, can we suggest that efforts of the United Nations to tackle these issues were sufficient. 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?”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In the 21st Century, the requirements and challenges of our present as well as our future are vastly different from those of the past. Therefore, the international community today is faced with a very important question: Whether the character of the institution, constituted in the prevailing circumstances of 1945, is relevant even today? With the changing times, if we don’t change, then the drive needed to bring change will also get weakened. If we were to make an objective assesment of the performance of the United Nations 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. One could say that we have successfully avoided a third World War.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Respected President of the General Assembly, On behalf of more than 1.3 billion people of India, I would like to congratulate every member state on the 75th anniversary 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. Your Excellency, The world of 1945 was significantly different from today’s world. The global situation, sources-resources, problems-solutions; all were quite different. And as a result, the form and the composition of the United Nations, established with the aim of global welfare, were in accordance with the prevailing situation of those times. Today we are in a completely different era.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“The great spiritual guru Swami Vivekananda delivered a message to the world 125 years ago during the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. His message was one of harmony and peace, not dissension. Today the message from the world’s largest democracy to the international community remains the same. It is a message of harmony and peace.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The lack of unanimity among us on the issue of terrorism undermines the very principles that were the basis for the creation of the United Nations. For the sake of humankind, I therefore firmly believe that it is absolutely imperative that the world unite and stand as one against terrorism. The face of the world is changing today. Modern technology in the twenty-first century is bringing about sweeping changes in our social and personal lives, the economy, security, connectivity and international relations. In such a situation, a fragmented world is in no one’s interests. Neither do we have the option to confine ourselves within our own borders. In this new era, we will have to give new direction and strength to multilateralism and the United Nations.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“One of the effects of global warming is the increasing number and severity of natural disasters, which are also appearing in new areas and in new forms, in response to which India initiated the formation of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. I invite all countries to join the coalition, which will help to build infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters. Of all the soldiers from all countries who have made the supreme sacrifice for United Nations peacekeeping missions, India has given the most. We belong to a country that has given the world Buddha’s message of peace, not war. That is why our voice rings out with seriousness and outrage against terrorism in order to alert the world to that evil. We believe it is one of our biggest challenges, not for one single country but for the entire world and humankind.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Over the past five years, India has worked to strengthen its centuries-old great tradition of fraternity among nations and working for the welfare of the world, which is indeed in line with the key objectives of the United Nations. The issues that India raises and the kinds of new global platforms that India has come forward to build seek collective efforts to address serious global challenges and issues. If we take a historical and per-capita emission perspective, India’s contribution to global warming is very low. At the same time, India is also one of the leading nations when it comes to taking steps to address the issue. On the one hand, we are working to achieve the target of 450 gigawatts of renewable energy; on the other hand, we have also taken the initiative to create the International Solar Alliance.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The efforts are ours, but their fruits are for all and the entire world to enjoy. That conviction of mine grows stronger every day, when I think of those countries that, just like India, are striving for development, each in their own way. When I hear about their joys and sorrows and when I learn their dreams, my resolve to develop my country at a faster pace becomes even stronger, so that India’s experience can also be beneficial to those countries. Approximately 3,000 years ago, a great poet of India, Kariyan Pungun-dra-naar, wrote in Tamil, the most ancient language in the world, “We belong to all places and to everyone”. That sense of belonging beyond borders is unique to India.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“India is a great culture that is thousands of years old, has its own vibrant traditions and has encompassed universal dreams. Our values and culture see divinity in every being and strive for the welfare of all. The very core of our approach is therefore public welfare through public participation, not just for India but for the entire world. That is the reason why we draw inspiration from our motto, “Collective efforts for the growth of all, with everyone’s trust” — a motto that is also not confined to the borders of India. Our endeavours are neither an expression nor an act of pity nor a pretence. They are inspired by a sense of duty and duty alone and are all focused on 1.3 billion Indians. However, the dreams that those efforts are trying to fulfil are the same dreams nurtured by the entire world, by every country and every society.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“I am pleased to inform the Assembly that, as I am addressing members today, a very large campaign is being initiated across the entire country to make India free of single-use plastic. In the next five years, in addition to promoting water conservation, we are going to ensure a water supply to 150 million homes and build more than 125,000 kilometres of new roads. By 2022, when India celebrates its seventy-fifth independence day, we plan to have built 20 million houses for the poor. While the world has set itself the target of eradicating tuberculosis by 2030, in India we are working towards eradicating it by 2025. The question that arises is how we have been able to achieve all that. How is it that such rapid changes are occurring in India?”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“When a developing country successfully runs the world’s biggest financial inclusion scheme, opening more than 370 million bank accounts for those in poverty in just five years, the systems that result from that scheme build confidence in those affected by poverty across the entire world. When a developing country launches the world’s biggest digital-identification programme for its citizens, giving them a biometric identity that ensures their rights and saves approximately $20 billion by reducing corruption, the modern systems that result from that programme give the world new hope. As I entered this building, I noticed the call on one of its entrance walls to make the United Nations free of single-use plastic.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“When a developing country is able to successfully implement the world’s biggest sanitation campaign as part of the Clean India mission, building more than 110 million toilets in just five years for its people, its achievements and outcomes constitute an inspirational message for the entire world. When a developing country successfully runs the world’s biggest health insurance scheme, giving 500 million people access to annual health coverage worth 500,000 rupees at no cost to them, the achievements and response systems that result from that scheme show the world a new path.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“It is a great honour for me to address the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session on behalf of 1.3 billion Indians. It is also a very special occasion because this year, the entire world is celebrating 150 years since the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. His message of truth and non-violence is still very relevant for us today for peace, development and progress in the world. This year we witnessed the holding of the world’s biggest election in the world’s biggest democracy. The largest number of voters ever voted my Government into power for a second term, with an even stronger mandate than before. It is thanks to that mandate that I am once again standing here before the Assembly. However, the message that my Government’s mandate conveys has an even greater, wider and more inspiring significance.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In preparing and implementing the post-2015 development agenda, let us come together to keep our promises. For 2015, let us come together to give a new direction and make the moment memorable by giving the world a new lease on development. The year 2015 should be a banner year in history — a turning point in history. I hope that we will all live up to its promise.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“If we can keep all of that in mind, through exchanges of views, dialogue with universities, and intergenerational discussions with young people, who can contribute ideas, then we will find the ways to connect all of those things for future generations. That is why I say that arriving at the milestone of 70 years presents us with a great opportunity that we should not waste. By taking full advantage of this moment, we could achieve a new consciousness, a new life, with new ambitions and aspirations. We could give the journey of the United Nations a new form. I therefore feel that 70 years is a great opportunity for us. Let us come together and fulfil our promise to bring improvements to the Security Council. That issue has been before us for a long time, yet there has not been much progress. We need to think very seriously about it.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Every age is defined by its character and remembered for how it rose to meet its challenges. Today, we are responsible to rise and meet those challenges. Next year, the United Nations will be 70 years old. We should ask ourselves whether we should wait until we are 80 or 100 years old to take action. I believe that next year will provide an opportunity for the United Nations. After a voyage spanning 70 years, we shall be able to look back and review what we have achieved, whence we began, why we left certain places, what motivated us, how we proceeded and what we have attained. What are the challenges facing us in the twenty-first century?”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to another idea. When we talk of climate change, we are also talking about holistic health care, connecting with nature and going back to basics. Today, I would like to underscore that yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action. It is important to coordinate all of those aspects. Such a holistic approach is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can also help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an international yoga day. Finally, we are at a historic moment.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The global community has agreed to work together on the basis of common but differentiated responsibility. That must continue to be the foundation of future action. That also means that developed countries must fulfil their commitments in terms of funding and technology transfer. Secondly, national action is imperative. Technology has made many things possible, such as renewable energy. We need imagination and commitment. India stands ready to share its technology and capabilities, as for example through the recently announced free access to a satellite. Thirdly, we need to change our lifestyles. Avoiding energy use is the cleanest option and would give a new direction to our economy. For us in India, respect for nature is fundamental and an integral part of spiritualism. It is part of our ideology.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“That makes it clear that more comprehensive and concerted international action is required. We cannot keep waiting for economic development. In India, the most important aspects of my development agenda are focused precisely on those very issues, which should also be at the core of the post- 2015 development agenda, as they deserve our utmost attention. A world that is more habitable and sustainable is an objective we must work towards. There has been much debate and much written about that, but it takes only a brief glance around our countries to become concerned. We are very concerned indeed about issues relating to forests, wildlife, birds, rivers, water sources and the blue sky above. I would like to address three points. First, if we are to meet all of the challenges, we must fully uphold our responsibilities.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“If we think of the speed with which Facebook or Twitter have spread around the world and cell-phone use has proliferated, then we must also believe that development and empowerment can spread with the same speed. It is up to each country to make its own efforts at the national level. Each Government must fulfil its responsibilities. International participation is also very important. At one level, it requires better coordination of policy, so that our efforts become mutually supportive, not mutually damaging. It also means that, when we craft agreements on international trade, we accommodate one another’s concerns and interests. Let us think about the scale of the need. Today, basic sanitation is out of the reach of 2.5 billion people; 1.3 billion have no access to electricity and 1.1 billion no access to drinking water.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“But if they are excluded from decision-making, then how can United Nations peacekeeping become more vital and urgent? We need to seriously consider that. Today, let us redouble our efforts in pursuit of global disarmament. Let us also spare no effort to ensure that we work tirelessly towards those goals. Globalization has created new industries and sources of employment. At the same time, billions live in the shadow of poverty. A great many countries are suffering economic deprivation, barely keeping their heads above water. What seems so difficult today was never so difficult in the past. Technology has made many things possible. Reduction in the cost of technology has made it more widely available.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It must be emphasized that our combined strength to fight against terrorism should be reflected in the convention. Our country, which has endured so many terrorist attacks, knows that, so long as the United Nations fails to take the initiative in that effort, and so long as we do not adopt a convention, we cannot be successful. In such work, we must not forget to make provision for peace, stability and order in outer space and cyberspace. We must work together to ensure that all countries observe international rules and norms. We must include the host countries and troop- contributing countries in our decision-making on United Nations peacekeeping. If they are included, their confidence will increase considerably. They are ready to make major sacrifices and to give their time and energy.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Institutions that reflect the imperatives of the twentieth century will not be effective in the twenty-first century. They face the risk of irrelevance. I would like to emphasize that the policies and rules we made in the twentieth century may no longer be applicable. The speed of change is very fast. It is therefore essential that, in tune with the times, we adapt and reformulate, making the necessary changes and introducing new ideas. Only when we have done that will we be relevant. We should set aside all our differences and mount a concerted international effort to combat terrorism and extremism. Towards that end, we should adopt a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. That is something which is long overdue.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“That is what we appear to be weighing. The pessimists are cynical. Like them, we are inclined to say nothing will change. It is easy to be cynical and to say nothing will change. But if we do that, we run the risk of shirking our responsibilities and putting our collective future in danger. We must unite and prepare to meet the needs of our times. We must really work for global peace. No one country or group of countries can determine the course of the world or its policies. It is imperative to have genuine international participation and partnership. We should try to promote positive dialogue and cooperation among countries. Our efforts must begin at the United Nations. It is important that we improve the Security Council by making it more democratic and participative.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“There is the Group of Four, the Group of Seven and the Group of 20 — and the numbers keep changing. Whether or not we really want to do so, we, including India, become members of them. Is it not the time to move on and leave behind those groups? When the United Nations celebrates its seventieth anniversary, how do we create a Group-of-All atmosphere? How can the General Assembly create an opportunity to solve all our problems? How can people begin to be more trustful? How can we become less competitive? We talk about unity, but then we divide the whole into different parts and pieces. Can we prevent ourselves from doing so? On the one hand, we say that our policies are interconnected; on the other, we think in terms of zero-sum gains. We think that if the other benefits, I stand to lose. Who receives the benefit and who suffers the loss?”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“If we want to overcome terrorism, then they must all contribute towards its eradication. We strongly emphasize this. Oceans, seas, space and cyberspace, besides contributing to our common wealth and prosperity, are becoming new theatres of conflict. In the same oceans that used to connect us, we are today hearing news of disputes. We once saw space as holding out potential for our achievements. Today, in cyberspace, which connects us in important areas, new dangers are being seen. International harmony and cooperation — on which the United Nations was founded — are needed now more than ever before. Today, we talk about an interdependent world, but have we become more united as nations? We need to think about that. Why, when we have a good forum like the United Nations, do we keep creating so many different groups?”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“They did not quite understand it and stated that it was a law-and-order problem. Today, the entire world is witness to the slow spread of terrorism far and wide. Are we really making integrated efforts at the international level to fight against those powerful groups? I know that terrorism is a very serious problem for discussion. Even today, some countries are giving refuge to international terrorists, and they consider terrorism a tool of their policy. Good terrorism and bad terrorism — that is what we hear these days. At this time, there is a question mark regarding our struggle to fight against terrorism. The brutal return of terrorism in West Asia and its impact on countries far and near has elicited a concerted effort, which we welcome. However, the effort should involve all the countries of the region.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)