At UN, Modi hypes yoga and jabs Pakistan

In his first address to the United Nations General Assembly since his resounding election victory in May, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked India’s Hindu and ascetic traditions, saying they might provide answers to climate change. He also encouraged more people to take up yoga, and called for the UN to create an International Yoga Day. Modi said that he wants to hold bilateral talks with neighboring Pakistan “without a shadow of terrorism,” a day after Pakistan’s prime minister expressed frustration with stalled talks over Kashmir, the Himalayan region claimed in full by both countries.

Yoga should not be just an exercise for us, but a means to get connected with the world and with nature…It should bring a change in our lifestyle and create awareness in us, and it can help fighting against climate change.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Last month, India announced it was withdrawing from the planned peace talks between the two nuclear-armed neighbors because of plans by Pakistan to consult Kashmiri separatists beforehand. But Modi said India was willing to discuss Kashmir with Pakistan, so long as those talks are in “an atmosphere of peace, without a shadow of terrorism.” India says Pakistan supports separatist militants that cross from the Pakistan-controlled side of Kashmir to attack Indian forces.

It should bring a change in our lifestyle and create awareness in us, and it can help fighting against climate change.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Politics Modi