PM Modi says dialogue is the only way to resolve conflict and prejudices

The meet is being held in Yangon over Saturday and Sunday.

The Vivekananda Kendra had, in September 2015, hosted the first edition of this conference in New Delhi, which was attended by participants from various religions and traditions, in New Delhi.

In a video message to the second edition of Samvad, the Prime Minister said that societies across the world are facing several questions today, such as how to avoid conflict, how to address a global challenge like climate change, etc.

He said that it is only natural that the search for answers be led by the humanity’s longest traditions of thought, rooted in various religions, civilizations, and multiple streams of spirituality.

The Prime Minister said that he is a "product of the ancient Indian tradition that firmly believes in dialogue on difficult issues."

He said that the ancient Indian concept of “Tarka Shastra” is founded on dialogue and debate as the model for exchange of views and avoidance of conflict.

The Prime Minister said that if man does not nurture nature, then nature reacts in the form of climate change. Environmental laws and regulations, while essential in any modern society, afford only an inferior protection to nature, he added, calling for "harmonious environmental consciousness."

Man must relate to nature, man must revere nature, not merely consider it a resource to be exploited, the Prime Minister said.

"As the inter-connected and inter-dependent world of 21st century battles a number of global challenges, from terrorism to climate change, I am confident that the solutions will be found through Asia’s oldest traditions of dialogue and debate," the Prime Minister said.

Image: NarendraModi/Twitter