This was the fourth time when Narendra Modi was addressing the UNGA as India's Prime Minister

While addressing the world leaders at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said it is essential to ensure that Afghanistan’s territory is not used to spread terrorism or for terrorist activities.

“Today, the world is witnessing an increased threat of regressive thinking and extremism. In this situation, it is necessary to make the world a site for science-based, rational and progressive thinking,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Without taking Pakistan’s name, he said, “Countries using terrorism as a political tool have to understand that it is an equally big threat to them.”

Prime Minister Modi called for a broader global response against terrorism, and also asked nations to work towards keeping the world's shipping lanes free from expansionism.

“In Afghanistan, minorities need help. We should fulfil our responsibility... Our seas are our shared assets. We must make sure we use these resources and not abuse them. Seas are also lifelines of international trade. We must keep them away from the race of expansion and exclusion,” PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi was the first world leader to speak at the UN General Debate — the theme of which this year is ‘Building Resilience through hope to recover from Covid-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations’.

Earlier, he said India is a great example of a vibrant democracy. The strength of our democracy is demonstrated by the fact that a little boy, who was helping his father at a tea stall in India, is addressing the UNGA for the fourth time as Prime Minister of India.

Highlighting India's achievements in the fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), PM Modi said, "India has developed the world's first DNA vaccine for Covid-19 which can be administered to everyone above the age of 12."

He further said that Indian scientists are also developing a nasal vaccine for Covid-19.