India delivers a Joint Statement on Resonance of Thoughts and Values of Mahatma Gandhi in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Modi to highlight globally the thoughts and ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, the Permanent Representative of India to UN and other International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey made a Joint Statement on ‘Resonance of Thoughts and Values of Mahatma Gandhi in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ today at the Human Rights Council on behalf of India and 89 other countries. The statement is open for co-sponsorship by more States until the end of the 52nd session of the Council.

In his statement, Ambassador Pandey stressed that there is strong resonance in the universal values contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the ideas and values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi, the global icon of non-violence. Underlining that Gandhiji’s advocacy of political, social and economic inclusion has been manifest in the Sustainable Development Goals, Ambassador Pandey emphasised that Gandhiji was a strong believer in inclusion of women and girls, as well as persons in vulnerable situations, securing and upholding their rights and dignity. He spoke of the five core concepts espoused by Gandhiji, i.e. Ahimsa, Satyagraha, Sarvodaya, Swaraj and Trusteeship, pointing out that they are also the core principles of the UN Charter and UDHR.