United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on India to play a leadership role in ensuring peace in the region. He was speaking at the Sapru House-UN Lecture: India and the United Nations in a Changing World.

Calling on Indian leaders to take up a proactive role in helping the region, including Pakistan and Afghanistan that are rocked by violence, to stabilise, the UN Secretary General said, “The world is looking to India to help advance peace, prosperity and security in the region… As the world’s largest democracy India has an important role.”

He added that India, as well as other countries in the region, need to take a stand on nuclear disarmament as the growing stockpile of nuclear weapons in the region is a cause for concern, even as other nuclear states have announced limitations and end to production of nuclear materials.

“It is urgent in our era of rising terrorism,” he said.

Further, he added that the fruits of development need to reach all groups in India.

India has lifted millions out of poverty but it must do more, he said, adding that the other facets of development, such as discrimination against minority groups, such as religious as well as gender, need to be ensured in the country.

“Education is key,” he said, adding that schools have to foster equality and harmony and “shouldn’t be a battleground of divisive ideologies.”

Green development

On sustainable development, too, Ban said India has a huge role to play. While lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Make in India’, he said, “I want to add two words to it. Make it green in India.”

“Climate action can power growth, increase energy security, deliver better health and many others,” he said. “Challenges here mirror global challenges – poverty, gender inequality, discrimination, environmental degradation.”

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