Published 09:43 IST, September 21st 2019
Syed Akbaruddin: Climate change, terror to be focus for India at UN
Syed Akbaruddin said that India will focus on terror and climate change when asked about PM Modi's agenda for the United Nations General Assembly address.
As the nation is gearing up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Syed Akbaruddin said that the aim of the country is to engage with the world. Speaking to news agency ANI on Saturday, Akbaruddin said that climate will be a big focus in PM Modi's address at the UNGA. He also added that there is a boom in the Indo-US relations. The permanent representative to the UN highlighted that there have been two major developments by the UN in India's favour in the past year - one, the condemnation of Pulwama attack and two, Masood Azhar's designation as a global terrorist. He asserted that India will be at the forefront to condemn terror activities around the world.
India's gift to UN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a 50KW 'Gandhi Solar Park' on September 24. Speaking about India's commitment to climate change, Akbaruddin said: "We have contributed a solar park in UN. We believe in action-oriented tangible talks. Climate is our big focus."
India has gifted solar panels that have been installed on the roof of the UN Headquarters, one panel each for every 193 UN Member State. PM Modi will also inaugurate the solar park at the UN Headquarters and the 'Gandhi Peace Garden' during a special commemorative event on September 24 marking Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. On the occasion, a special UN Postage on Gandhi's 150 years will also be released. On Friday, UN chief Antonio Guterres also lauded India's effort towards tackling climate change. "India is a very important actor and fundamental partner in international efforts on climate action and is making a fantastic effort to grow its renewable energy basket," he said.
'Pakistan has mainstreamed terror'
Akbaruddin, in a veiled reference to Pakistan on Friday, has said that "poisoned pens don't work for too long". Speaking to the reporters, he mentioned that there might be someone who wanted to bring an issue that it had raisedbefore. Akbaruddin observed that Pakistan had already mainstreamed terrorism and they were on the way to mainstream hate speech. Thereafter, he was asked about India using the Right of Reply after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech in the upcoming UN General Assembly session. He responded,” It is a bad tactic to tell everybody what tactical approach you will apply. You will appreciate, you may call me anything, I am not a bad tactician."
Pakistan to speak on Kashmir at UNGA
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York on September 27. In a veiled attack on Pakistan, Akbaruddin asserted that India will soar high if Pakistan "stoops low" by raising the Kashmir issue at a high-level UN General Assembly session next week. "Every country sets its trajectory of how it wants to approach global platforms. There may be some who stoop low. Our response to them is we soar high," he said.
Howdy Modi & PM Modi in UNGA
On September 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a visit to the United States of America. In his six-day long visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Houston-based Texas India Forum will host a community summit in honour of PM Modi at the NRG Stadium on September 22. The NRG stadium is one of America's largest professional football stadiums and is home to the Houston Texans franchise. The Texas India Forum, a not-for-profit organisation, confirmed that they expect 50,000 people to attend the mega event billed as "Howdy, Modi!" Well-known Indian community leader in Houston Jugal Malani who is the convener of the "Howdy, Modi!" organising committee said: "We are excited to hold this summit at the renowned NRG stadium. This will be the largest ever gathering of Indian Americans and friends of India, with a diverse representation from the region and across the country."
Updated 10:48 IST, September 21st 2019