SEOUL, Feb 22: “Shichagi Bhanida ……”, – Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Friday referring to a Korean saying meaning — “A good beginning is half the battle”.
This came on a day when the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution condemning the Pulwama attack and urging Pakistan to take convincing steps to intensify its actions against terror groups.
The top UN body has urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in fight against terror especially in the context of Pulwama attack.
Addressing an impressive gathering after receiving the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize here, the Prime Minister said “time has come” for all those who believe in humanity to join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks and their financing, supply channels, and to counter terrorist ideology and propaganda.
“Only by doing so can we replace hate with harmony; destruction with development and transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a post-card for peace,” he said.
Earlier in a joint media briefing with the South Koren President Moon Jae-in, the Prime Minister said “Ab samay aa gaya hae ki vaishwik samuday….batton se agey barkar, is samasya ke virodh mein ek jut hokar karwa-wahi karey (Now the time has come for the global community to go beyond mere talks and stay united and take concrete actions against terror menace)”.
Prime Minister’s resolute remarks hours came after the UN Security Council named JeM, which claimed responsibility for February 14 terror attack, and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.
India’s permanent representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin tweeted to say that the UNSC statement had “many firsts takes more time than expected”.
“In complex diplomatic situations, however, it is better to be late than never,? Akbaruddin wrote.
Sources said the UNSC resolution was adopted despite Pakistan lobbying with UNSC top brass and initial skirmishes raised by China.
Sources also said India had pushed for adoption of its ‘stand and language’ in the resolution through ‘partner countries’ including on the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammad and “to bring perpetrators to justice”.
France has played a key role in pushing the resolution, sources said and so did countries like the US.
In his speech after receiving the award, Prime Minister Modi also referred to the “progress over the past year towards peace on the Korean peninsula”
“President Moon deserves all the praise for the role he has played in overcoming the legacy of mutual distrust and suspicion between North Korea and the international community, and bringing them to the discussion table,” he said adding this is “no small achievement”.
“I state again my Government’s strong support to the ongoing dialogue process between the two Koreas and between the US and North Korea,” Mr Modi said.
“I am deeply honoured to be awarded the Prize….the award belongs to the people of India,” Mr Modi said.
The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 and the awardees receives a diploma, a plaque and honorarium of USD 200,000.
“May there be peace everywhere……may there be eternal peace,” Mr Modi said on the occasion quoting Sanskrit mantras.
The Prime Minister said the entire monetary prize amount would be dedicated to the Namami Gange project – committed to clean Ganga. (UNI)
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