Talking about neighbourhood, Modi said India desired a peaceful and stable environment for its development. “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 her neighbours.”

Hailing the wave of democracy sweeping the globe, he also praised  Nepal’s quest for new constitution, Afghan transition and Bhutan’s nascent democracy.

Modi’s 35-minute speech, delivered in Hindi, covered a number of subjects such as terrorism, including its resurgence in West Asia, reforms of the United Nations.