United Nations High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace

“The Culture of Peace: Importance of justice, equality, and inclusion for advancing peacebuilding"

(6 September 2022)

India Statement

We thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this important high-level forum on Culture of Peace. 

Mr. President

A Culture of Peace is the foundation for a global order of peace and tolerance. It is the prerequisite to build inclusive and tolerant societies. This is of greater significance in our efforts to advance peacebuilding in post-conflict and conflict-affected situations.

The UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace has provided an effective blueprint for multilateral action to promote solidarity and understanding.

In today’s world, where intolerance, hatred, violence and terrorism have almost become the norm, the need to reaffirm our abiding commitment to promote a culture of peace has become more relevant than ever before.

The current pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness and interdependence of humankind like never before. Such testing times call for enhancing mutual support, compassion and cooperation.

Mr. President

As the great Indian philosopher, Swami Vivekananda had said, “We believe not only in universal toleration but we accept all religions as true”.

Continuing this rich heritage, India has promoted this culture, inter alia, through tolerance, understanding, respect for all religions and cultures – all this under the overarching umbrella of a pluralistic ethos and democratic principles. 

It is because of our deep belief and constant practice of these principles that India is called a country of ‘unity in diversity’, a country where all religions are equally treated and respected. 

Our concept of pluralism is based on our ancient ethos of ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’ which means ‘equal respect for all faiths’. Today, every one of the world’s major religions has a home in India, making it a nation of unparalleled diversity of continental proportions.

India's contribution towards global peace and harmony can be well summarized in the words of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who in this very august assembly in 2019, had said that India's gift to the world is Lord Buddha's wisdom and message of peace instead of war. 

Mr. President

At a time when we face increasingly widening divisions and fissures between Member States, we urge for strengthened international efforts to foster a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of peace, and reaffirming that inter-religious dialogue should be inclusive, broader and encompasses all religions and faiths.

Peacebuilding efforts, which adhere to the principles of democracy, pluralism, compassion, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding form the basis of a Culture of Peace. 

India’s fundamental approach to peacebuilding efforts is anchored in respect for national ownership and the developmental priorities of member states. 

In today’s world, intolerance, hatred, violence and terrorism have almost become the norm. There can be no doubt that terrorism, which is a manifestation of intolerance and violence, is the antithesis of all religions and cultures. The international community needs to adopt a policy of zero-tolerance towards terrorism. 

To conclude, India will continue to spread the message of humanity, democracy and non-violence. We once again appreciate the UN's initiative of organizing the High-Level Forum.

I thank you.