General Assembly General Assembly

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Mr President, 

At the outset, India would like to convey our appreciation to the President of the General Assembly for convening this High-Level Forum on Culture of Peace.  We welcome and fully support the Landmark GA Resolution 53/243 on the Declaration of Programme of Action on Culture of Peace.  

A Culture of Peace is the keystone of the Foundation of a global order of Peace and Tolerance.  In the long history of human civilization, which have seen many years of warfare, the UN has been a guiding light in the 20th century with the many initiatives it has taken to build a peaceful and just order.  The SDGs are only the latest and most comprehensive in its efforts to bring about a Culture of Peace in its broader sense.  It is a matter of satisfaction that the global community of nations fully participated and engaged in this effort. For its part, India recognizing the importance of Womens Empowerment, especially girls, in building a Culture of Peace has launched a flagship programme geared towards young girls.  The 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Protect and Educate the Girl child) scheme is one of India's major initiatives.  Another major programme of the Government is the Skill Development Programme focused on providing various skills to young people to help them become productive and peaceful citizens.                                                                                                                                                             
Mr President, 

As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, India has been the home to a continuous steam of great spiritual teachers/thinkers through out the centuries who have spread the message of a culture of peace.  Starting with the hymns of the Vedas and leading to Lord Buddha and Gandhiji, the message of the Indian civilization is a Culture of Peace.  This was highlighted today by the beautiful songs of peace of Sri Chinmay, we heard today.  India is deeply conscious and proud of this heritage and remains committed to a Culture of Peace.  

India thanks and warmly appreciates the moving address of Nobel Laureate Dr Betty Williams.  Protecting children and creating a peaceful world for them to grow up happily and led a fulfilling life in the first step in building a culture of peace.  It is fitting indeed that the Panel Discussion in the afternoon today focuses on Early Childhood Development as the beginning in sowing seeds of a Culture of Peace. 

Mr President, 

A culture of peace, not only symbolizes peace in the larger context, but in terms of inter-State ties is also a value built on good neighbourliness, mutual respect and non-interference.  It is ironic, that our neighbor, Pakistan, well-known for providing safe havens to terrorists and using terrorism as a tool of State policy has used this platform to yet again covet Indian territory, cloaking its designs in the garb of concern for justice and self-determination.  May I remind our neighbor that Jammu and Kashmir is and will remain an integral part of India. It is time that Pakistan too reconciles to this.  As a democracy India always abides by the choice of the people and will not allow it to be undermined by terrorists and extremists. It reiterates the principle of the need for promotion of peace through non-violence, a principle Gandhiji so eloquently expressed in his life message.   

To conclude, India once again appreciates the UN's initiative of organizing the High Level Forum and commends Bangladesh for its continuing engagement with this important subject.

Thank You.