Narendra Modi conferred with Seoul Peace Prize 2018, says award belongs to People of India

Seoul, Feb 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday was awarded with the Seoul peace prize 2018 on his two-day visit to South Korea. PM Modi was selected after candidates proposed over 1300 nominators from around the world. Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was the recipient of the honour in 1999.

"The Seoul Peace Prize does not belong to me, it is dedicated to the people of India and our country's culture of peace and harmony. It's for the success India has achieved in the last 5 years, powered by the skills of 1.3 billion people," PM Modi said after accepting the award.

"I am even more honoured that this award has been given to me on the 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi's birth. It makes it even more special," said the Prime Minister.

''India's growth story is not only good for the people of India but also for the entire world. We live in an increasingly interconnected world. Our growth and prosperity will inevitably contribute to global growth and development,'' Modi said.

The Prime Miniter also said,''India, as a responsible member of the international community, has been in the forefront of our collective fight against climate change. Despite having a historically low carbon footprint, India has been playing an active role in the global fight against climate change.''

''Like Korea, India has also suffered the pain of division and cross-border strife. Our endeavour towards peaceful development has only too often been derailed by cross-border terrorism. The time has come for all right-thinking nations to join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks. Only by doing so, Can we replace hate with harmony; Destruction with development & Transform the landscape of violence and vendetta into a postcard for peace,'' Modi said in Seoul.

In the official address, the South Korean presenter enlisted the Prime Minister's achievements that led to this honour. "PM Modi has contributed to the economic contribution to the country and the world. He has been critical in promoting regional and global peace. "

The recipients include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus, former United Nation Secretary-General South Korean Ban Ki-moon, among others.

The PM arrived in Seoul on Thursday in his second visit to the Asian nation after his state visit in May 2015.