Covid offers world a chance for moral rearmament, PM Modi tells NAM
05 May 2020
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for international institutions that are more representative of today’s world as the world faces common threats like the corona virus pandemic.
“Covid-19 has shown us the limitations of the existing international system. In the post-COVID world, we need a new template of globalisation, based on fairness, equality, and humanity,” the prime minister said.
“We need to promote human welfare, and not focus on economic growth alone,” he said, adding the India has long championed such initiatives.
He cited the example of the International Day of Yoga, to improve physical and mental well-being of all humanity, the International Solar Alliance to help Planet Earth heal from the disease of climate change, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure to protect against climate and disaster risks.
“India accounts for one-sixth of humanity. We are a developing country and a free society. During this crisis, we have shown how democracy, discipline and decisiveness can come together to create a genuine people’s movement.
India, he said, has a tradition, of seeing the whole world as one family. While we care for our own citizens, we are also extending help to other countries. To counter COVID-19, we have promoted coordination in our immediate neighbourhood. And, we are organising online training to share India’s medical expertise with many others.
India is regarded as a pharmacy of the world, especially for affordable medicines.
Despite our own needs, we have ensured medical supplies to over 123 partner countries, including 59 members of NAM, he pointed out.
We are active in global efforts to develop remedies and vaccines. India has the world’s oldest plant-based traditional medicine system. We have freely shared simple Ayurvedic home-remedies, to help people boost their natural immunity.
When countries across the globe are busy fighting the dreaded pandemic Covid-19, some people are busy spreading other deadly viruses, such as terrorism and misinformation through doctored videos to divide communities and countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing a global video conference of member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
India, he said, too has taken the initiative to organise disaster management drills in our region and beyond but some countries are still organising military drills.
NAM, he said, should call upon the international community and the WHO to focus on building health-capacity in developing countries. We should ensure equitable, affordable and timely access to health products and technologies for all.
“We should develop a platform for all NAM countries, to pool our experiences, best practices, crisis-management protocols, research, and resources.
“In the founding spirit of our Movement, let us aim today to come together, not grow apart. Each of us can be safe from the pandemic only if we all are. Let us work as partners towards an inclusive and cooperative global response,” he said.
“Today, humanity faces its most serious crisis in many decades. At this time, the Non Aligned Movement can help promote global solidarity. NAM has often been the world’s moral voice. To retain this role, NAM must remain inclusive.”
Modi thanked I thank His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, the current head of NAM, for organising a virtual conference.
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