Indian premier wants Pakistan talks without ‘shadow of terrorism’

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Narendra Modi siad: “I want to hold bilateral talks to improve friendship and cooperation in all seriousness and in an atmosphere of peace, without a shadow of terrorism. But this is also the duty of Pakistan to come forward and create an appropriate atmosphere and with all seriousness come forward for a bilateral dialogue.”

Indian premier Narendra Modi speaks at the 69th United Nations General Assembly on Saturday in New York City. Kena Betancur / Getty Images / AFP

UNITED NATIONS // Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that he wants to hold bilateral talks with neighbouring Pakistan “without a shadow of terrorism”, a day after Pakistan’s prime minister expressed frustration over stalled talks over Kashmir.

Last month, India announced it was withdrawing from the planned peace talks on the disputed Himalayan region between the two nuclear-armed neighbours because of plans by Pakistan to consult Kashmiri separatists ahead of the meeting.

“I want to hold bilateral talks to improve friendship and cooperation in all seriousness and in an atmosphere of peace, without a shadow of terrorism,” Mr Modi, speaking in Hindi, told the United Nations General Assembly in his first address to the world body.

“But this is also the duty of Pakistan to come forward and create an appropriate atmosphere and with all seriousness come forward for a bilateral dialogue,” he said.

India says Pakistan supports separatist militants that cross the Line of Control, which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan-controlled regions, from the Pakistan side to attack Indian forces.

Mr Modi appeared to chastise Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who had used his own General Assembly address on Friday to blame India for the collapse of the latest talks over Kashmir.

“By raising this issue in this forum,” Mr Modi said, “I don’t know how serious our efforts will be, and some people are doubtful about it.”

Mr Modi is due to have private meetings with the prime ministers of Nepal and Bangladesh and the president of Sri Lanka on Saturday in New York, but no meetings are planned with Mr Sharif or other Pakistani officials, according to the Indian delegation.

On a lighter note, Mr Modi proposed a new addition to the lengthy list of annual UN observances: World Yoga Day.

In his speech, Mr Modi Modi extolled the therapeutic powers of yoga and said it could help tackle global problems.

He told delegates that yoga could, “bring a change in our lifestyle and create awareness in us, and it can help in fighting against climate change”.

The Indian leader has a reputation as an ascetic. He’s in the midst of a nine-day fast dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga.

The UN already has 118 awareness-raising days of observance.

Saturday is World Tourism Day. Among others in the calendar: the International Day of Happiness, World Soil Day, International Mother Earth Day and International Jazz Day.

* Reuters