Ready for talks, but onus on Pak: Modi

• Says raising Kashmir at intl fora can’t resolve issues
• PM addresses UN Assembly in Hindi with simultaneous translation in English

United Nations: Rebuffing Pakistan for raising the Kashmir issue at the UN, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Saturday that he was prepared to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with it "without the shadow of terrorism" but asked it to create an "appropriate environment" for that.

Without making a direct reference to the strident speech of his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif here on Friday in which he had insisted on a plebiscite in Kashmir, Modi made it clear that "raising issues in this forum is not the way to make progress towards resolving issues between our two countries".

In his maiden address to the 193-member UN General Assembly, the Indian leader underlined that his government placed the highest priority on advancing friendship and cooperation with its neighbours, including Pakistan.

Speaking in Hindi, Modi said, "I am prepared to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism, to promote our friendship and cooperation. However, Pakistan must also take its responsibility seriously to create an appropriate environment," he told the Assembly.

Earlier, Modi met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during which he referred to raising of the Kashmir issue by his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif while implying that the global body was not the right forum to discuss it.

Modi's reference to the issue in a meeting with the UN chief came a day after Sharif raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly here.

In his address, Sharif had needled India and said that more than six decades ago, the UN had passed resolutions to hold a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. "The people of Jammu and Kashmir are still waiting for the fulfillment of that promise," he said.

Highlights from PM's speech

• Every nation's world view is shaped by its civilisation and philosophical tradition. India's ancient wisdom sees the world as one family – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
• A nation's destiny is linked to its neighbourhood. That is why my Government has placed the highest priority on advancing friendship and cooperation with its neighbours
• Today, we still operate in various Gs with different numbers like G4, G7. India, too, is involved in several. But, how much are we able to work together as G1 or G-All?
• No one country or group of countries can determine the course of this world. There has to be a genuine international partnership. This is a practical reality
• We must reform the United Nations, including the Security Council, and make it more democratic and participative
• When we draft agreements on international trade, we accommodate each other's concerns and interests
• When we think of the scale of want in the world, we need a more comprehensive and concerted direct international action
• Yoga embodies unity of mind and body. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day