PM Modi's UNGA Address: In a concise and power-packed speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put up hard-hitting questions in front of the United Nations, while addressing its General Assembly session. It was speculated that PM may hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over his remarks about India in his speech on Friday, however, PM  Modi spoke like a statesman without giving Pakistan any space in his powerful speech.

He asserted that the United Nations needs reforms and there is a serious need of introspection.

Also Read | For How Long Will India Be Kept Out Of The Decision-Making Structures Of United Nations: PM Modi At UNGA

PM Modi's first question: Where is UN in the joint fight against Covid-19 pandemic?

Highlighting the crisis that the world is going through, PM said that over the last 8 to 9 months, the whole world has been battling the pandemic of the Coronavirus. “Where is the United Nations in this joint fight against the pandemic? Where is its effective response?,” he raised direct questions at UNGA.

PM Modi's second question: Will the reform-process of the UN ever reach its logical conclusion?

Stressing on the fact that a reform is required urgently in the United Nations functioning, he said that people of India have been waiting since long for the process to take place. Reform in the responses, in the processes, and in the very character of the UN is the need of the hour. It is a fact that the faith and respect that the UN enjoys among the 1.3 billion people in India is unparalleled, he said.

If we were to make an objective assessment of the performance of UN over the last 75 years, we see several stellar achievements. But at the same time, there are also several instances that point to the need for a serious introspection of the work of the United Nations, he said.

PM Modi's third question: For how long will India be kept out of the decision-making structures of UN?

PM said India is proud of the fact that it is one of the Founding Members of the United Nations. “It is a fact that the faith & respect that the UN enjoys among the 1.3 billion people in India is unparalleled. For how long will India be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations?,” he asked.

When we were strong, we were never a threat to the world, when we were weak, we never become a burden on the world. How long would a country have to wait particularly when the transformational changes happening in that country affect a large part of the world, PM said.  India’s partnerships are always guided by this very principle. Any gesture of friendship by India towards one country is not directed against any third country, he said.

India is that country, which in the course of maintaining peace, has lost the maximum number of its brave soldiers. Today every Indian, while seeing the contribution of India in UN, aspires for India’s expanded role in the United Nations.

In the changed circumstances of the post-pandemic era, we are moving forward with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. A self-reliant India will also be a force multiplier for the global economy, PM said.

Watch his full address: