'Buddha' Not 'Yudha', PM Modi's Message To World At 74th Session Of UNGA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and said that India has given the world ‘Buddha’ (peace) and Yudha (war). Noting that India is a country, that has given the world, not 'War', but Buddha's message of peace, PM Modi said, "And that is the reason why, our voice against terrorism, to alert the world about this evil, rings with seriousness and the outrage."

"And that is why, for the sake of humanity, I firmly believe, that it is absolutely imperative, that the world unites against terrorism, and that the world stands as one against terrorism," he asserted.

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He also emphasised that terrorism is not a challenge for any one country, but for all the countries and of mankind as a whole. "We believe, that this is one of the biggest challenges, not for any single country, but for the entire world and humanity," PM Modi said while speaking in Hindi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at #UNGA : The world's largest democracy voted for my govt & me. We came back to power with a bigger majority and because of this mandate I am here today. pic.twitter.com/7oDrtcD9xG

— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2019

He also exhorted the international community to stand united against terrorism. The prime minister also lamented on the lack of unanimity amongst the member states on the issue of terrorism, saying it dents those very principles that are the basis for the creation of the United Nations.

"India's contribution towards United Nations Peace-keeping missions has been immense, no other country in the world has sacrificed as much as India has for these peace-keeping missions," teh prime minister said.

This was his second address to the General Debate at the UN, five years after his maiden speech as Indian Prime Minister in 2014.

India had proposed a draft document in 1996 on the 'Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism' (CCIT) at the General Assembly but it remained a blueprint as the member states were unable to reach a consensus. The CCIT intends to criminalise all forms of terrorism and deny terrorists, their financiers and supporters access to funds, arms and safe havens.

"The lack of unanimity amongst us on the issue of terrorism, dents those very principles, that are the basis for the creation of the UN," Prime Minister Modi rued.

Prime Minister Modi said the largest number of supreme sacrifices made by soldiers of any country for UN peacekeeping missions is from India.

At least 160 Indian peacekeepers have paid the ultimate price while serving with the United Nations.