India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UN debut Saturday presented a worldview shaped by ancient tradition, promoting multilateralism as well as yoga.
Modi, a Hindu nationalist who swept to power earlier this year, addressed the United Nations at the start of a visit to the United States, which is eager to court him after shunning the right-wing leader for a decade.
Unlike most Indian officials at international meetings, Modi addressed the UN General Assembly in Hindi instead of English and delivered a speech rich in spiritual overtones.
“Every nation’s worldview is shaped by its civilization and philosophical tradition. India’s ancient wisdom sees the world as one family,” said Modi, dressed in a crisp black Jodhpuri jacket.
“It is this timeless current of thought that gives India an unwavering belief in multilateralism,” Modi said.
The prime minister has in the past called for strong relations with the United States, a fellow democracy with similar concerns over Islamic extremism and the rise of China. But India has historically resisted alliances, and it helped lead the Non-Aligned Movement in the Cold War.
Modi renewed calls for a permanent Security Council seat for India as part of UN reforms.
While many leaders use the UN stage to press political causes, Modi called for the United Nations to consider adopting an international day of yoga, a discipline he called an “invaluable gift of our ancient tradition.”
Yoga “is not about exercise but discovering the sense of oneness within yourself, the world and nature,” said Modi, who as a young man wandered the Himalayas on a spiritual quest.
Many were awaiting signs in Modi’s maiden speech of new climate change commitments from India, the world’s number three polluter, but he made only passing reference to the issue, tied to his remarks on yoga.
“By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change,” he said.
– Urges ‘seriousness’ from Pakistan –
Modi also used his speech to respond to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who a day earlier had urged negotiations on Kashmir and said that the Himalayan territory divided between the rival nuclear powers was “the responsibility of the international community.”
Modi said he supported dialogue with Pakistan but questioned Sharif’s manner in bringing up the issue at the United Nations: “By raising this, I don’t know how serious our effort will be, and some people are doubtful.
“Instead, today we should be thinking about the victims of floods on Jammu and Kashmir,” the prime minister added, using the full name of the Indian state.
Modi reiterated his offer to assist flood victims on the Pakistani side of the region — an offer unlikely to be accepted by Islamabad amid criticism by some Kashmiris over the pace of the Indian response.
Before taking office, Modi had been hawkish on Pakistan, and he surprised many observers by inviting Sharif to his inauguration in May to promote peace. But India in August canceled high-level talks to protest Pakistan’s talks with Kashmiri separatists.
The General Assembly also marked a change of tone for Sharif, who has come under growing pressure from Pakistan’s powerful army. A year earlier at the UN, Sharif implored Pakistan and India to stop spending on their military and focus on development.
Indian officials said Modi will not see Sharif in New York but planned to meet the leaders of neighbors Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, with which India has cordial relations.
– Massive reception –
Modi was refused a visa by the United States in 2005 on human rights grounds over anti-Muslim riots three years earlier when he was leader of the western state of Gujarat. Activists accused Modi of doing little to stop the violence that killed more than 1,000 people, although Modi was never charged.
On the eve of Modi’s visit, an activist group filed a lawsuit on behalf of three survivors of the violence that accuses the Indian leader of “attempted genocide.”
The group, the American Justice Center, offered $10,000 to anyone who could successfully serve a summons on Modi.
The Indian foreign ministry denounced the “frivolous” effort and said Modi enjoyed “ring-fenced” security that would prevent a stranger from handing him a summons.
Modi has been surrounded by well-wishers and on Sunday will address more than 18,000 people at Madison Square Garden in a reception organized by Indian Americans. Earlier Saturday, Modi laid a wreath at the site of the September 11 attacks.