Annual High-Level Meeting of the UNAOC Group of Friends

“Shaping a Better World: Building Cohesive and Inclusive Societies in a Challenging COVID-19 Environment”

Statement by

Mr. Ashish Sharma, First Secretary

(September 29, 2020)

Mr. High Representative 

At the outset, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the people of Kuwait and its government following the death of the Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

Allow me to express our sincere appreciation to you for your efforts in leading the Alliance of Civilizations. This platform has assumed a greater significance in contemporary world where divisive lines are becoming broader than ever before.

Mr. High Representative 

India is an ageless civilization which has always practiced and propagated world peace by promoting inter-ideological and inter-religious understating through open, inclusive and constructive dialogue. Our civilization ethos is deeply rooted in the universal values of rule of law, democracy, pluralism and human rights.

Unity in diversity is at the very core of India’s national philosophy based on our basic ethos that “the world is one family.” Throughout history, millions who have faced persecution or been subjected to discrimination have always found refuge in India including the Jewish communities, Zoroastrians and many other ethnicities in our neighborhood.

India continues to play an important role across the world to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and supported more than 150 countries.

Mr. High Representative 

As the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations turned fifteen, it is imperative that we strengthen our approach towards how we deal with cultural and religious diversity. 

We need greater inclusivity in the dialogue process with the Alliance of Civilizations promoters. We must ensure that the inter-religious dialogue is broad-based and encompasses all faiths and not be selective. 

Mr. High Representative 

We must stand united against the forces that seek to displace dialogue and peace through brute force and disinformation. 

Democracy and pluralism should be the bedrock to promote peace building and better governance worldwide. 

The Alliance of Civilizations should focus on issues that unite us rather than on those that divide us. 

We must refrain from making the Alliance a platform for divisive political rhetoric which takes us nowhere.

To conclude, I would like to reiterate India’s strong commitment towards the activities of the Alliance to promote understanding, tolerance and respect.

I Thank You for your attention