Dear Editor,
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 69th convention of the United Nations General Assembly, the world was all ears to listen to the newly elected Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy.
Modi’s speech contained a litany of issues and included multifarious concerns that should be addressed at global level. But the part of his speech that was highly awaited by the Indian media was his response to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Pakistan had brazenly raised the issue of Kashmir at the international forum again, and hence, India had to give a reply. Modi said that India disdained terrorism in all forms and was willing to engage with Pakistan, but not under the shadow of terrorism. Pakistan wants to shake hands with India but wants India to stand before a loaded cannon.
Modi said that Pakistan must first stop spawning terror from its grounds, referring to the proxy terror which Pakistani-aided elements spew in India and outside. Modi was, however, abstemious and did not dedicate a lion’s share of his speech on Kashmir. The passing reference to Pakistan-aided terror was a perfect riposte to our neighbour. Pakistan did not stop from internationalising the Kashmir issue and demanded a plebiscite to settle the issue.
Modi, unlike Sharif, wanted to paint a much better picture of himself and his country at the international pedestal. He vociferously spoke about Indian philosophy and the Indian desire to develop in the fields of economic growth, trade and commerce.
Kanishka Pathak
via-e-mail