India committed to peace: Narendra Modi

Tokyo, Sep 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said that India is committed to peace and this commitment has "significance far above any international treaties or processes".

"Commitment to peace and non-violence is ingrained in the DNA of the Indian society... This commitment to peace that was intrinsic to Indian society, has significance far above any international treaties or processes," Modi said while responding to a question on how India could enhance the confidence of the international community as a non-NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) state.

Modi, who is on a five-day visit to Japan, was responding to questions from students after delivering a lecture at the University of the Sacred Heart here.

To another query, Modi called for India and Japan to focus on shared values of "democracy, development, and peace", saying this effort would be similar to lighting a lamp in the dark.

Adding that India is the land of Lord Buddha, who lived for peace, and spread the message of peace across the world, Modi said: "India had won its freedom through non-violent means. For thousands of years, India has believed in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole world is our family)."

"When we consider the whole world as our family, how can we even think of doing anything that would harm or hurt anyone," the prime minister added.

Addressing the students at this all-women university, Modi said to understand different societies across the world, two things are important - "their education system and their art and culture".

The prime minister also stressed on the need for women's empowerment in the present-day world.

"As a Gujarat chief minister, I dedicated myself towards girl child education," Modi said in a tweet posted on the PMO twitter account.

The Indian prime minister added that he spent $180 million for girl child education.

He also noted that the Indian constitution framework seeks to integrate women in the decision making process.

"Our current cabinet has 25 percent women, even our external affairs minister is a woman," he said.

IANS