New York, September 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA. During his address PM Modi raised the issue of terrorism. He asserted that India is a peace-loving country. During his address, the Prime Minister added that India has given the world Buddh – founder of Buddhism and not Yudh (War) to underline country’s no war policy. Narendra Modi Speech at UNGA: Built 11 Crore Toilets in 5 Years, Committed to Movement Against Single Use Plastic, Says India's Prime Minister.

PM Modi said, “We believe that terrorism is not a challenge for any one country, but for all countries and of mankind as a whole.” PM Modi also urged the world to unite against terror. The Prime Minister did not mention Pakistan in his speech. During his address, PM Modi also highlight the various development programmes carried out by his government, including building 11 crore toilets in the country. He even asserted his government's stand against the usage of single-use plastic.

Highlights of PM Modi’s Speech:

  1. PM Modi in his speech mentioned about the sacrifice of Indian Defence forces personnel in the UN Peacekeeping Mission. He said,” India is the country that has made the biggest sacrifice at the UN Peacekeeping Mission. We are residents of the country that has given the world excellence and a message of peace, not war”

  2.  PM Modi during his speech, drew attention towards his government’s decision of banning single-use plastic. He said, “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.”

  3. The Prime Minister highlighted his government’s achievement in building 11 crore toilets to India an open defecation free country. He said, “When a developing nation successfully carries out the biggest cleanliness drive of the world and provides more than 11 crore toilets to its people just within five years.”

  4. The PM said that his government opened the bank accounts of 37 crore people. PM Modi also added that India running the largest health-care programme sets an example for the rest of the world.

  5. During his speech, PM Modi also drew attention of the world towards India’s commitment to help the UN to resolve serious problems including global warming. He said, “The topics that India is raising, the new global forums that India has come forward to build, are the basis of global challenges, global themes and collective efforts to solve serious problems.”

  6. PM Modi also remembered Swami Vivekanand during his speech. He stated, "Vivekananda Ji had given a message to the world from Chicago during the World Parliament of Religion about 125 years ago. The world's largest democracy still has the same message for the global community- harmony and peace."

  7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that Mahatma Gandhi's message of truth and non-violence is very relevant even today for peace, development and progress.

Watch PM Modi's Full Speech at UNGA:

Prime Minister did not mention about Pakistan and his government’s decision of abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre earlier had maintained that the PM would not speak on the Kashmir issue as it India’s internal matter. Immediately after PM Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the UNGA. Islamabad, on its part, has made it clear that Khan would raise the issue of Kashmir at the world body.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2019 08:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).