Such is my country: A history of India's tallest leaders at the UNGA

Leaders from across the globe are presently in New York for the UN week - terminology used for the annual UNGA meeting held at the UN, where leaders from countries of the world put forward matters of importance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the US as well. Over the past few days, he has had multiple bilateral and multilateral meetings. He even held a massive rally in Houston 'Howdy, Modi!' where he addressed tens of thousands of people from the Indian diaspora in the US in the presence of US President Donald Trump along with senior Congressmen and other lawmakers. But PM Modi's biggest assignment is still in front of him. The Prime Minister will deliver a speech at the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27. This will be Modi's first visit to the UN after his re-election in May. PM Modi will be bringing up the issues of climate change, trade, terrorism amongst others at the UNGA. September 27, Friday, will also see Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan speak at the UN's top platform. Unlike the Indian Prime Minister who will be talking about the global issues, PM Khan's speech is expected to be India-centric. Imran Khan has made his intentions very clear to bring up the Kashmir issue at the UNGA after his side meetings failed to reap much rewards. To that extent, it is going to be an exciting day at the UN. In the past, many prominent Indian leaders, who have always known to give a thoughtful and selfless speech, have addressed the international community at the UNGA. Their address focussed on the global issues rather than restricting the speech to India. Here are some of the prominent Indian faces that have been India's voice at the United Nations General Assembly NARENDRA MODI Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 69th UNGA meet shortly after his first stint began as PM in 2014. Modi highlighted the need for urgent reforms and rejuvenation of the United Nations, along with a comprehensive convention on Global Terrorism. Naming Pakistan, Modi said, " Pakistan must create a suitable atmosphere for bilateral talks". He also suggested the adoption of International Yoga Day. SUSHMA SWARAJ During PM Modi's first tenure in office, late Sushma Swaraj in her capacity as the External Affairs Minister spoke 4 times at the UNGA - 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Swaraj in her four speeches was critical of Pakistan's proxy war against India. She on multiple occasions named and shamed Pakistan by saying "Pak glorifies killers". When former Pak PM Nawaz Sharif named Burhan Wani at the UNGA, Sushma Swaraj gave a befitting reply to Sharif and reiterated time and again that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. DR MANMOHAN SINGH Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his 2 tenures as PM, spoke at the UNGA 5 times - in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2013. Known for being soft-spoken, Manmohan Singh raised several issues at the UN. In his final speech in 2013, he spoke of poverty, international security, the role of UN, Human rights and many more economic aspects of India and the world. Singh also spoke of climate change in a time when the world was not paying much attention to it. He also spoke of war-torn regions like Syria and Afghanistan and the need for restoration of peace. Manmohan Singh also expressed his commitment to resolve all issues with Pakistan. PRANAB MUKHERJEE Former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee addressed the UNGA four times - in 1994, 1995, 2006 and 2007, in his capacity as the External Affairs Minister. Pranab Mukherjee spoke of peacebuilding measures and the role the UN needs to play in it. He spoke of the importance of trade, private sector investment, economic growth and of millennium development goals. He also spoke of the peace process in the Middle East and the importance of the security council. He quoted terrorism as 'one of the most crucial issues'. Mukherjee also stressed the importance to eliminate the threat of use of nuclear weapons. ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE Between 1998 and 2003, Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed the UNGA 5 times. Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was known for his charismatic speeches and hard-hitting words became the first Indian leader to address the UNGA in Hindi. He addressed the UNGA both as an external affairs minister as well as later as Prime Minister. His famous words at the UN were 'I am a newcomer to the United Nations but India is not'. Vajpayee spoke of India demonstrating to the world that democracy can take roots in a developing country. He also met Pak PM Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of UNGA. I K GUJRAL Former Prime Minister I K Gujral also spoke at the UN in his capacity as External Affairs Minister as well as Prime Minister. I K Gujral in his several speeches at the UN spoke of several global issues including poverty, diseases, malnutrition, ecological degradation, Human Rights. He was a vocal advocate of banning all sorts of nuclear tests and said that out loud in his speeches at the UN. This was the pre-9/11 time when the world did not take much notice of 'terrorism', however even in those days, India raised the issue of terrorism at the UNGA. P V NARSIMHA RAO In his speeches at the UN, PV Narsimha Rao talked about the UN Security Council and its role in the world. PV Narsimha Rao also stated that India's support to the UNSC was 'complete and consistent'. He also spoke of environmental degradation and international peace and security. Narsimha Rao spoke of India in the most spectacular words -- "A country with a history of over 5,000 years, with a record of non-invasion and non-annexation of alien territories, with a shining example of powerful monarch like Asoka turning into an apostle of non-violence another powerful heir apparent becoming the one and only Buddha, with a contemporary political system modelled on the best traditions of human rights and liberties - such is my country." RAJIV GANDHI Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi represented India at the UNGA thrice -- in 1985, 1987 and 1988. Rajiv Gandhi in his speech strongly supported the freedom struggle for Namibia. He highlighted the role of the UN to counter colonial motives. He spoke against the racial regime in South Africa and reminded them that their predecessors enabled Mahatma Gandhi to fashion his strategy. He also supported the Palestinian cause of homeland and said, "there can be no peace in West Asia till the Palestinians secure their legitimate right to a state they can call their homeland." INDIRA GANDHI Indira Gandhi in her speeches at the UNGA spoke of Vietnam, the Middle East and other wartorn regions. She strongly recommended that 'territories occupied by force must be vacated'. Indira Gandhi also spoke of the peace missions to Gaza Strip, Korean peninsula and Congo amongst others. She also spoke of the India-China peace relationship. Indira Gandhi also condemned the racism that was blossoming in South Africa. She also expressed her concerns over the growing nuclear arsenal in the world. JAWAHARLAL NEHRU Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister was also the first one to represent India at the UNGA. In his first-ever speech at the UN in 1948, Nehru spoke of India's peaceful struggle for Independence. He stressed on the point that the means you get to the end are as important as the end itself. He spoke of the two world wars and said that the world gained nothing out of fighting these wars other than hatred and destruction. Nehru also spoke of the sufferings of people of Asia under imperialism and colonialism. He also drew attention to a problem which had been of vital importance-- racial equality.

Such is my country: A history of India's tallest leaders at the UNGA

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