Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

A strong India-U.S. partnership can anchor peace, prosperity & stability across the world: PM Modi


Mr. Speaker,
Mr. Vice President,
Distinguished Members of the U.S. Congress
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am deeply honoured by the invitation to address this Joint Meeting of the U.S. Congress.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker for opening the doors of this magnificent Capitol.
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This temple of democracy has encouraged and empowered other democracies the world over.
It manifests the spirit of this great nation, which in Abraham Lincoln's words, "was conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

In granting me this opportunity, you have honoured the world's largest democracy and its 1.25 billion people.

As a representative of world's largest democracy, it is indeed a privilege to speak to the leaders of its oldest.

Mr. Speaker,

Two days ago, I began my visit by going to the Arlington National Cemetery -the final resting place of many brave soldiers of this great land.

I honoured their courage and sacrifice for the ideals of freedom and democracy.

It was also the seventy-second Anniversary of the D-Day.

On that day, thousands from this great country fought to protect the torch of liberty on the remote shores of a land that they did not know.

They sacrificed their lives so that the world lives in freedom.

I applaud …India applauds, the great sacrifices of the men and women from 'The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave' in service of mankind.

India knows what this means because our soldiers too have fallen in distant battlefields for the same ideals.

That is why the threads of freedom and liberty form a strong bond between our two democracies.

Mr. Speaker,
Our nations may have been shaped by differing histories, cultures, and faiths.

Yet, our belief in democracy for our nations and liberty for our countrymen is common.

The idea that all citizens are created equal is a central pillar of the American constitution.

Our founding fathers too shared the same belief and sought individual liberty for every citizen of India.

There were many who doubted India when, as a newly independent nation, we reposed our faith in democracy.

Indeed, wagers were made on our failure.

But, the people of India did not waver.

Our founders created a modern nation with freedom, democracy, and equality as the essence of its soul.

And, in doing so, they ensured that we continued to celebrate our age old diversity.

Today, across its streets and institutions, in its villages and cities, anchored in equal respect for all faiths; and in the melody of hundreds of its languages and dialects.

India lives as one; India grows as one; India celebrates as one.
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Mr. Speaker,

Modern India is in its 70th year.

For my government, the Constitution is its real holy book.

And, in that holy book, freedom of faith, speech and franchise, and equality of all citizens, regardless of background, are enshrined as fundamental rights.

800 million of my countrymen may exercise the freedom of franchise once every five years.

But, all the 1.25 billion of our citizens have freedom from fear, a freedom they exercise every moment of their lives.

Distinguished Members,

Engagement between our democracies has been visible in the manner in which our thinkers impacted one another, and shaped the course of our societies.

Thoreau's idea of civil disobedience influenced our political thoughts.

And, similarly the call by the great sage of India Swami Vivekananda to embrace humanity was most famously delivered in Chicago.

Gandhi's non-violence inspired the heroism of Martin Luther King.

Today, a mere distance of 3 miles separates the Martin Luther King memorial at Tidal Basin from the statue of Gandhi at Massachusetts Avenue.

This proximity of their memorials in Washington mirrors the closeness of ideals and values they believed in.

The genius of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was nurtured in the years he spent at the Columbia University a century ago.

The impact of the U.S. constitution on him was reflected in his drafting of the Indian constitution some three decades later.

Our independence was ignited by the same idealism that fuelled your struggle for freedom.

No wonder then that former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee called India and the U.S. 'natural allies'.

No wonder that the shared ideals and common philosophy of freedom shaped the bedrock of our ties.

No wonder then, that President Obama has called our ties the defining partnership of the 21st century.
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Mr. Speaker,

More than fifteen years ago, Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee stood here and gave a call to step out of the 'shadow of hesitation' of the past.

The pages of our friendship since then tell a remarkable story.

Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history.

Comfort, candour and convergence define our conversations.

Through the cycle of elections and transitions of Administrations the intensity of our engagements has only grown.

And, in this exciting journey, the U.S. Congress has acted as its compass.

You helped us turn barriers into bridges of partnership.

In the fall of 2008, when the Congress passed the India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, it changed the very colours of leaves of our relationship.

We thank you for being there when the partnership needed you the most.

You have also stood by us in times of sorrow.

India will never forget the solidarity shown by the U.S. Congress when terrorists from across our border attacked Mumbai in November of 2008.

And for this, we are grateful.

Mr. Speaker,

I am informed that the working of the U.S. Congress is harmonious.

I am also told that you are well-known for your bipartisanship.

Well, you are not alone.

Time and again, I have also witnessed a similar spirit in the Indian Parliament, especially in our Upper House.

So, as you can see, we have many shared practices.
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Mr. Speaker,

As this country knows well, every journey has its pioneers.

Very early on, they shaped a development partnership even when the meeting ground was more limited.

The genius of Norman Borlaug brought the Green Revolution and food security to India.

The excellence of the American Universities nurtured Institutes of Technology and Management in India.

And, I could go on.

Fast forward to today.

The embrace of our partnership extends to the entirety of human endeavour-from the depths of the oceans to the vastness of the space.

Our S&T collaboration continues to helps us in cracking the age-old problems in the fields of public health, education, food, and agriculture.

Ties of commerce and investment are flourishing. We trade more with the U.S. than with any other nation.

And, the flow of goods, services and capital between us generates jobs in both our societies.

As in trade, so in defence. India exercises with the United States more than we do with any other partner. Defence purchases have moved from almost zero to ten billion dollars in less than a decade.

Our cooperation also secures our cities and citizens from terrorists, and protects our critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation, as I told President Obama yesterday, is a reality.
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Mr. Speaker,

Our people to people links are strong; and there is close cultural connect between our societies.

SIRI tells us that India's ancient heritage of Yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the U.S..

It is estimated that more Americans bend for yoga than to throw a curve ball.

And, no Mr. Speaker, we have not yet claimed intellectual property right on Yoga.

Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of three million Indian Americans.

Today, they are among your best CEOs; academics; astronauts; scientists; economists; doctors; even spelling bee champions.

They are your strength. They are also the pride of India. They symbolize the best of both our societies.

Mr. Speaker,

My understanding of your great country began long before I entered public office.

Long before assuming office, I travelled coast to coast, covering more than 25 States of America.

I realized then that the real strength of the U.S. was in the dreams of its people and the boldness of their ambitions.

Today, Mr. Speaker, a similar spirit animates India.

Our 800 million youth, especially, are particularly impatient.

India is undergoing a profound social and economic change.

A billion of its citizens are already politically empowered.

My dream is to economically empower them through many social and economic transformations.

And, do so by 2022, the seventy-fifth anniversary of India's independence.

My to-do list is long and ambitious. But you will understand.

It includes:

· A vibrant rural economy with robust farm sector;

· A roof over each head and electricity to all households;

· To skill millions of our youth;

· Build 100 smart cities;

· Have a broad band for a billion, and connect our villages to the digital world;

· And create a twenty-first century rail, road and port infrastructure.

These are not just aspirations; they are goals to be reached in a finite time-frame.

And, to be achieved with a light carbon foot print, with greater emphasis on renewables.
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Mr. Speaker,

In every sector of India's forward march, I see the U.S. as an indispensable partner.

Many of you also believe that a stronger and prosperous India is in America's strategic interest.

Let us work together to convert shared ideals into practical cooperation.

There can be no doubt that in advancing this relationship, both nations stand to gain in great measure.

As the U.S. businesses search for new areas of economic growth, markets for their goods, a pool of skilled resources, and global locations to produce and manufacture, India could be their ideal partner.

India's strong economy, and growth rate of 7.6% per annum, is creating new opportunities for our mutual prosperity.

Transformative American technologies in India and growing investment by Indian companies in the United States both have a positive impact on the lives of our citizens.

Today, for their global research and development centres, India is the destination of choice for the U.S. companies.

Looking eastward from India, across the Pacific, the innovation strength of our two countries comes together in California.

Here, the innovative genius of America and India's intellectual creativity are working to shape new industries of the future.

Mr. Speaker,

The 21st century has brought with it great opportunities.

But, it also comes with its own set of challenges.

Inter-dependence is increasing.

But, while some parts of the world are islands of growing economic prosperity; other are mired in conflicts.

In Asia, the absence of an agreed security architecture creates uncertainty.

Threats of terror are expanding, and new challenges are emerging in cyber and outer-space.

And, global institutions conceived in 20th century, seem unable to cope with new challenges or take on new responsibilities.

In this world full of multiple transitions and economic opportunities; growing uncertainties and political complexities; existing threats and new challenges; our engagement can make a difference by promoting:

· Cooperation not dominance;
· Connectivity not isolation;
· Respect for Global Commons;
· inclusive not exclusive mechanisms; and above all
· adherence to international rules and norms.

India is already assuming her responsibilities in securing the Indian Ocean region.

A strong India-U.S. partnership can anchor peace, prosperity and stability from Asia to Africa and from Indian Ocean to the Pacific.

It can also help ensure security of the sea lanes of commerce and freedom of navigation on seas.

But, the effectiveness of our cooperation would increase if international institutions framed with the mindset of the 20th century were to reflect the realities of today.
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Mr. Speaker,

Before arriving in Washington D.C., I had visited Herat in Western Afghanistan to inaugurate Afghan-India Friendship Dam, a 42 MW hydro-electric project built with Indian assistance.

I was also there on the Christmas day last year to dedicate to that proud nation its Parliament, a testimony to our democratic ties.

Afghans naturally recognize that the sacrifices of American have helped create a better life.

But, your contribution in keeping the region safe and secure is deeply appreciated even beyond.

India too has made an enormous contribution and sacrifices to support our friendship with Afghan people.

A commitment to rebuild a peaceful, and stable and prosperous Afghanistan our shared objective.

Yet, Distinguished Members, not just in Afghanistan, but elsewhere in South Asia, and globally, terrorism remains the biggest threat.

In the territory stretching from West of India's border to Africa, it may go by different names, from Laskhar-e-Taiba, to Taliban to ISIS.

But, it’s philosophy is common: of hate, murder and violence.

Although it's shadow is spreading across the world, it is incubated in India's neighbourhood.

I commend the members of the U.S. Congress for sending a clear message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains.

Refusing to reward them is the first step towards holding them accountable for their actions.

The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels.

And, the traditional tools of military, intelligence or diplomacy alone would not be able to win this fight.

Mr. Speaker,

We have both lost civilians and soldiers in combating it.

The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security cooperation.

And, base it on a policy:

· that isolates those who harbour, support and sponsor terrorists;

· that does not distinguish between "good" and "bad" terrorists; and that delinks religion from terrorism.
Also, for us to succeed, those who believe in humanity must come together to fight for it as one, and speak against this menace in one voice.

Terrorism must be delegitimized.
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Mr. Speaker,
The benefits of our partnership extend not just to the nations and regions that need it most.

On our own, and by combining our capacities, we are also responding to other global challenges including when disaster strikes and where humanitarian relief is needed.

Far from our shores, we evacuated thousands from Yemen, Indians, Americans and others.

Nearer home, we were the first responders during Nepal's earthquake, in the Maldives water crisis and most recently during landslide in Sri Lanka.

We are also one of the largest contributors of troops to UN Peace Keeping Operations.

Often, India and the U.S. have combined their strengths in science, technology and innovation to help fight hunger, poverty, diseases and illiteracy in different parts of the world.

The success of our partnership is also opening up new opportunities for learning, security and development from Asia to Africa.

And, the protection of environment and caring for the planet is central to our shared vision of a just world.

For us in India, to live in harmony with mother earth is part of our ancient belief.

And, to take from nature only what is most essential is part of our civilizational ethos.

Our partnership, therefore, aims to balance responsibilities with capabilities.
And, it also focuses on new ways to increase the availability and use of renewable energy. 
A strong U.S. support for our initiative to form an International Solar Alliance is one such effort.

We are working together not just for a better future for ourselves, but for the whole world.

This has also been the goal of our efforts in G-20, East Asia Summit and Climate Change summits.

Mr. Speaker and Distinguished Members

As we deepen our partnership, there would be times when we would have differing perspectives.

But, since our interests and concerns converge, the autonomy in decision making and diversity in our perspectives can only add value to our partnership.

So, as we embark on a new journey, and seek new goals, let us focus not just on matters routine but transformational ideas.

Ideas which can focus:

· Not just on creating wealth but also creating value for our societies;

· Not just on immediate gains but also long term benefits;

· Not just on sharing best practices but also shaping partnerships; and

· Not just on building a bright future for our peoples, but in being a bridge to a more united, humane and prosperous world.

And, important for the success of this journey would be a need to view it with new eyes and new sensitivities.

When we do this, we will realise the full promise of this extraordinary relationship.
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Mr. Speaker,

My final thoughts and words would reiterate that our relationship is primed for a momentous future.

The constraints of the past are behind us and foundations of the future are firmly in place.

In the lines of Walt Whitman,

"The Orchestra have sufficiently tuned their instruments, the baton has given the signal."

And to that, if I might add, there is a new symphony in play.

Thank you Mr. Speaker and Distinguished members for this honour.

Thank you very much.

Ref: http://www.narendramodi.in/category/speeches

Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Prime Minister’s statement prior to his departure to Belgium, USA and Saudi Arabia

Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s departure statement prior to his visit to Belgium, USA and Saudi Arabia today:

“On 30th March, I will be in Brussels to meet with the Belgian Prime Minister Mr. Charles Michel. I would also be holding the 13th India-EU Summit with the E.U. leadership.

No words are enough to salute the resilience and spirit of the people of Belgium. We stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the wake of the horrific attacks in Brussels and share the grief of those who lost their loved ones.

Our relations with Belgium are deep rooted and have stood the test of time. Within the E.U., Belgium is India’s 2nd largest trading partner. My meeting with the Prime Minister aims to expand trade, investment and high technology partnership with this important E.U. member.

Along with Prime Minister Charles Michel, I would remote activate the India-Belgium ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences) Telescope.

The European Union is a vital trading partner and the biggest export destination for India. This Summit will advance our multifaceted engagement across a whole range of domains.

In Brussels, I would also be meeting with the Members of European Parliament (MEPs), Indologists, Belgian CEOs as well as a wide cross section of the Indian diaspora in Belgium. I would also interact with the Board Members of the Association of Diamond Traders in Belgium.

The same evening, I will address a Community Programme and interact with the Indian community.

After Belgium, I will be in Washington DC on 31st March to participate in the 4th Nuclear Security Summit, where several nations and global organisations would be represented.

The Summit would deliberate on the crucial issue of threat to nuclear security caused by nuclear terrorism. Leaders would discuss ways and measure through which to strengthen the global nuclear security architecture, especially to ensure that non-state actors do not get access to nuclear material.

On the sidelines of the Summit, I would meet with several world leaders to carry forward the agenda of bilateral cooperation with those nations.

I also look forward to my interaction with the scientists associated with LIGO project.

On 2nd and 3rd April, at the invitation of H.M. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, I will be visiting Saudi Arabia.

India’s ties with Saudi Arabia are special. Robust people-to-people ties constitute a key component of our engagement. I plan to work with the Saudi leadership to expand and deepen our bilateral relations. Discussions on the regional situation would also be on the agenda.

Our economic ties are also expanding. Saudi Arabia is India’s 4th largest trading partner, and is also India’s largest crude oil supplier.

In addition to meeting with H.M. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, I also look forward to my discussions with other important members of the Royal family.

We want the prominent Saudi businesses to partner with India’s development priorities. That would be one of the key objectives of the business event planned in Riyadh.

I will visit the Masmak Fortress, ‘L&T Workers’ Residential Complex and TCS All Women IT & ITES Center in Riyadh.”

Ref:http://www.narendramodi.in/category/speeches

Thursday, 17 March 2016

Sufism is the voice of peace, co-existence, compassion and equality; a call to universal brotherhood: PM Modi


Syed Mohammad Ashraf, Founder President, All India Ulama and Mashaik Board
Shawki Ibrahim Abdel Karim Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt,
Shaykh Hashimuddin Al Gailani, from Baghdad
Syed Minhaj Ur Rehman from Bangladesh
Diwan Ahmed Masood Chisti from Pakistan
Syed Nizami from Nizamuddin Dargah and Syed Chisti from Ajmer Sharif
My ministerial colleagues,
Scholars and Sufis from India
Our guests from our neighbours and from nations far beyond,

Welcome to a land that is a timeless fountain of peace, and an ancient source of traditions and faiths, which has received and nurtured religions from the world.

Welcome to a people with an abiding belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the World is one family.

A belief in harmony with the message of Holy Quran that mankind were one community, then they differed among themselves,

A creed echoed in the words of the great Persian Sufi poet Saadi, written in the United Nations, that human beings come from the same source: We are one family.

Welcome to the ancient city of Delhi - built by the genius of diverse peoples, cultures and faiths.

Like our nation, the city’s heart has place for every faith, from those with few followers to those with billion believers.

Its magnificent shrines include the dargahs of great Sufi saints Mehboob-e-Ilahi and Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki, that draw people from all faiths and all corners of the world.

This is an extraordinary event of great importance to the world, at a critical time for humanity.

At a time when the dark shadow of violence is becoming longer, you are the noor, or the light of hope.

When young laughter is silenced by guns on the streets, you are the voice that heals.

In a world that struggles to assemble for peace and justice, this is an assembly of those whose life itself is a message of peace, tolerance and love.

You have come from different lands and cultures, but you are united by a common faith.

You speak different languages, but they blend together in a message of harmony.

And, you represent the rich diversity of the Islamic civilization that stands on the solid bedrock of a great religion

 It is a civilization that reached great heights by the 15th century in science, medicine, literature, art, architecture and commerce.

It drew on the immense talents of its people and also Islam’s engagement with diverse civilizations – ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Africa; the Persian, Central Asian and Caucasian lands; the region of East Asia; and, with Buddhism and Indian philosophy and science.

As it enriched itself, it also enriched the world.

It set, once again, an enduring lesson of human history: it is through openness and enquiry, engagement and accommodation, and respect for diversity that humanity advances, nations progress and the world prospers.

And, this is the message of Sufism, one of the greatest contributions of Islam to this world.

From its origins in Egypt and West Asia, Sufism travelled to distant lands, holding aloft the banner of faith and the flag of human values, learning from spiritual thoughts of other civilisations, and attracting people with the life and message of its saints.

In the different settings of Saharan Africa or in Southeast Asia, in Turkey or in Central Asia, in Iran or India, Sufism reflected the universal human desire to go beyond the practice and precepts of religion for a deeper unity with the Almighty.

And, in that spiritual and mystical enquiry, Sufis experienced the universal message of Almighty:

That perfection in human life is reflected in the qualities that are dear to God.

That all are creations of God; and, that if we love God, we must also love all his creations.

As Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya said, “Almighty holds dear those who love Him for the sake of human beings, and those who love human beings for the sake of Almighty.”

This is the message of oneness of humanity, of all of Almighty’s creations.

For the Sufis, therefore, service to God meant service to humanity.

In the words of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, of all the worships, the worship that pleases the Almighty God the most is the grant of relief to the humble and the oppressed.

In a beautiful imagery of human values, he said, human beings must have the affection of the Sun, the generosity of the river and the hospitality of the earth, because they benefit us all, without discrimination and distinction among people.

And, its humanism also upheld the place and status of women in society.

Above all, Sufism is a celebration of diversity and pluralism, expressed in the words of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, that every people has its own path of truth, beliefs and focus of reverence.

These words reflect the divine message to the Holy Prophet that there is no compulsion in religion; And also that to every people we have appointed ways of worship which they observe.

And, it is in harmony with the soul of the Bhakti saint’s saying in the Hindu tradition, “Into the bosom of the one great sea, Flow streams that come from hills on every side.”

And in the wisdom of Bulleh Shah, “Lord is mixed in every heart.”

These values are the need of our times.

This is the reality of Nature. We learn this wisdom in the perfect balance and harmony that exists in the vast diversity of a forest.

Its message is beyond the confines of schools and sects. It’s a spiritual quest that traces its origin from the Holy Prophet and the fundamental values of Islam, which literally means peace.

And, it reminds us that when we think of the 99 names of Allah, none stand for force and violence, and that the first two names denote compassionate and merciful. Allah is Rahman and Raheem.

Sufism is the voice of peace, co-existence, compassion and equality; a call to universal brotherhood.

And, just as India became a principal center of Islamic civilization, our nation also emerged as one of the most vibrant hubs of Sufism.

Sufism became the face of Islam in India, even as it remained deeply rooted in the Holy Quran, and Hadis.

Sufism blossomed in India’s openness and pluralism. It engaged with her spiritual tradition, and evolved its own Indian ethos.

And, it helped shape a distinct Islamic heritage of India.

We see this heritage in the fields of art, architecture and culture that is part of the fabric of our nation and our collective daily lives.

We see it in the spiritual and intellectual tradition of India.

It helped strengthen the inclusive culture that is our great nation’s immense contribution to the cultural tapestry of this world.

In Baba Farid’s poetry or Guru Granth Sahib, we feel the same spiritual connection.

We see compassion in the langars of Sufi shrines and the village tombs of local Pirs that attracted the poor and hungry;

The words of Hindavi were spoken in the Sufi Khanqahs.

Sufism’s contribution to poetry in India is huge. Its impact on the development of Indian music is profound.

None had a greater impact than the Sufi poet-musician Amir Khusrau. Eight centuries later, his poetry and musical innovation continue to be part of the soul of Hindustani music. No one had spoken of Indian music with such passion as he had.

Who else could have expressed love for India so beautifully as he did:

“But India, from head to toe, is a picture of heaven,

Adam came from the palace of paradise,

He could only be sent to an orchard of fruits that is India.

If India is not paradise, how could it be made the abode of the peacock, the bird of paradise?”

It is this spirit of Sufism, the love for their country and the pride in their nation that define the Muslims in India.

They reflect the timeless culture of peace, diversity and equality of faith of our land;

They are steeped in the democratic tradition of India, confident of their place in the country and invested in the future of their nation;

And, above all, they are shaped by the values of the Islamic heritage of India. It upholds the highest ideals of Islam and has always rejected the forces of terrorism and extremism.

Now, as they travel to different parts of the world, they are the ambassadors of the values and traditions of our nation.

As a nation, we stood against colonialism and in our struggle for freedom.

At the dawn of independence some chose to go away; and, I believe, that it also had to do with the colonial politics of that time.

The tallest of our leaders, such as Maulana Azad, and important spiritual leaders, such as Maulana Hussain Madani, and millions and millions of ordinary citizens, rejected the idea of division on the basis of religion.

Now, India is moving forward on the strength of the struggles, the sacrifices, the bravery, the knowledge, the skill, the art and the pride of every member of every faith in our diverse and yet united nation.
Like the strings of sitar that each produces a note, but come together to create a beautiful melody.

This is the spirit of India. This is the strength of our nation.

All our people, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, the micro-minority of Parsis, believers, non-believers, are an integral part of India.

Just as it once came to India, today Sufism from India has spread across the world.

But, this tradition that evolved in India belongs to the whole of South Asia.

That is why I urge others in the region to nurture and revive this glorious heritage of ours.

When the spiritual love of Sufism, not the violent force of terrorism, flows across the border, this region will be the paradise on earth that Amir Khusrau spoke about.

Let me paraphrase what I have said before: Terrorism divides and destroys us.

Indeed, when terrorism and extremism have become the most destructive force of our times, the message of Sufism has global relevance.

In the centres of conflict in West Asia to calm cities in distant countries, in the remote villages of Africa to the towns in our own region, terrorism is a daily threat.

Each day brings us terrible news and horrifying images:

• of schools turned into graveyards of innocence;
• of prayer gatherings turned into funeral processions,
• of call to prayer or Azaan drowned by the sound of explosion;
• of blood on the beach, massacres in malls and smouldering cars on streets;
• of thriving cities ruined and priceless heritage destroyed;
• and, of parents bearing coffins, entire communities dislocated, millions displaced, and refugees caught between fire and stormy seas.

In this digital century of new promise and opportunities, the reach of terror is growing and its toll is rising every year.

Since the beginning of this century, tens of thousands of families have lost their loved ones in thousands of terrorist incidents globally.

Last year alone, I am talking about 2015, over 90 countries experienced terrorist attacks. Parents in 100 countries live with the daily pain of their children lost to the battlefields of Syria.

And, in a globally mobile world, one incident can claim citizens of many nations.

Every year, we spend over 100 billion dollars on securing the world from terrorism, money that should have been spent on building lives of the poor.

The impact cannot be fully captured in statistics alone. It is changing the way we live.

There are forces and groups that are instruments of state policy and design. There are others recruited to the cause in misguided belief.

There are some who are trained in organized camps. There are those who find their inspiration in the borderless world of cyber space.

Terrorism uses diverse motivations and causes, none of which can be justified.

Terrorists distort a religion whose cause they profess to support.

They kill and destroy more in their own land and among their own people than they do elsewhere.

And, they are putting entire regions to peril and making the world more insecure and violent.

The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion. It cannot be.

It is a struggle between the values of humanism and the forces of inhumanity.

It is not a conflict to be fought only through military, intelligence or diplomatic means.

It is also a battle that must be won through the strength of our values and the real message of religions.

As I have said before, we must reject any link between terrorism and religion. Those who spread terror in the name of religion are anti-religious.

And, we must advance the message of Sufism that stands for the principles of Islam and the highest human values.

This is a task that states, societies, sages, scholars and families must pursue.

However, to me, the message of Sufism is not just confined to combating terrorism.

The values of harmony, welfare, compassion and love for human beings are the foundation of a just society.
That is the principle behind my creed of “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikaas”.

And, these values are important to preserve and nurture diversity in our societies.

Diversity is a basic reality of Nature and source of richness of a society; and, it should not be a cause of discord.

We need just not constitutional provisions or legal safeguards, but also social values to build an inclusive and peaceful society, in which everyone belongs, secure about his rights and confident of her future.

This is also a time of great flux and transition in the world. The middle of the last century was an important turning point in history. A new world order emerged. Many new nations were born.

At the beginning of a new century, we are at yet another point of transformation on a scale rarely seen in human history.

In many parts of the world, there is uncertainty about the future, and how to deal with it as nations and societies.

These are precisely the times that the world is most vulnerable to violence and conflicts.

The global community must be more vigilant than ever before and counter the forces of darkness with the radiant light of human values.

So, let us remember the teaching of Holy Quran that if anyone slew one innocent person, it would be as if he slew a whole people; if anyone saved one life, it would be as if he saved a whole people.

Let us be inspired by the message of Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti,

With your spiritual light, dissolve the clouds of discord and war and spread goodwill, peace, and harmony among the people.

Let us remember the infinite humanism in Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi's words, “Contain all human faces in your own, without any judgment of them.”

Let us also live the sermon of Bible that calls us to do good, seek peace and pursue it.

And, oneness in Kabir’s observation that a river and its waves are one.

And, Guru Nanak Devji’s prayer that Lord, may everyone in the world prosper and be in peace.

Let us be inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s appeal against divisions and for people of all religions to hold the banner of harmony, not of dispute.

Let us also reaffirm the enduring message of Ahimsa of Lord Buddha and Mahavira.

And, from this forum, in this land of Gandhi,

And, of timeless prayers that always end with invocation of

Om Shanti; Shanti; Shanti: Peace, Peace, Peace,; Peace within and in the world.

Let us, therefore, send a message to the world:

• A melody of harmony and humanity
• The embrace of diversity, the spirit of oneness
• Of service with compassion and generosity,
• A resolve against terrorism, a rejection of extremism
• And, a determination to advance peace

Let us challenge the forces of violence with the kindness of our love and universal human values.

and Lastly, Let us restore the light of hope and turn this world into a garden of peace.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for what you stand for. Thank you for the role you are playing in building a better world. Thank you very much, Thanks a lot.

Ref: http://www.narendramodi.in/category/speeches