A First-hand Look at India's Great Global Potential

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit India, a country with great global potential that has a major role to play in addressing some of the challenges before the international community, including poverty, terrorism and climate change.

At Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram

While there, I toured Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat with my wife, Yoo Soon-taek, where I had the honour of reading some of Gandhi’s original writings. It was a deeply moving and inspiring visit for me, an opportunity to reflect on Gandhi’s message of peace, non-violence and communal harmony -- common values that the United Nations promotes and asks leaders near and far to put into practice.

Today, growing radicalization, fundamentalism and extremism demand a re-emphasis on Gandhi’s ideals – both spiritual and political. Divisive politics and sectarian incitement have no place in our modern world.

As Gandhi reminded us, “There will be no lasting peace on earth unless we learn not merely to tolerate but even to respect the other faiths as our own.” I was deeply moved by how they are conserving Gandhi’s letters and other precious artefacts - and I reflected on our collective responsibility to conserve the spirit of Gandhi’s teachings.

In Gujarat, I spoke to representatives of many major Indian and multinational companies at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. I stressed that just as Gujarat is a gateway between India and the wider world, it can serve as a crossroads for a new era of sustainable development: where technology meets climate action, where entrepreneurs meet clean energy, and where young people meet job opportunities.

I told these top business leaders that we need the corporate sector fully on board, if we are to meet three of the challenges we face this year: to reach the targets set in the Millennium Development Goals; to adopt the post-2015 sustainable development agenda; and to reach a universal and meaningful agreement on climate change at December’s Paris climate conference.

Now, more than ever, we need bold leadership across all levels of society: in government, in corporations, in civil society, academia and more.

India is already showing the way on sustainable energy. The Canal Top Solar Power Plant in Gujarat, which I inaugurated during my stay, is a good example of India’s use of innovative technologies -- and one that I urge others to follow.

With Nandita Das, Kailash Satyarthi, Sachin Tendulkar and SharmilaTagore

During my trip, I was privileged to join Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, along with several high-profile influencers who dedicate much of the busy lives to working as UN Goodwill Ambassadors. I thanked these stars -- Sharmila Tagore, Nandita Das and Sachin Tendulkar – for their leadership and vision in using their popularity and vast reach to bolster the work of the UN.

I was pleased to enlist the support of Sachin Tendulkar – along with Prime Minister Modi and Kailash Satyarthi – for the HeForShe movement focused on engaging men and boys in achieving gender equality.

Another huge celebrity, Bollywood star Celina Jaitly, has thrown her backing behind the UN Free & Equal campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.

While in India, I stressed that I staunchly oppose the criminalization of homosexuality. Laws criminalizing consensual, adult same-sex relationships violate basic rights to privacy and to freedom from discrimination. Even if they are not enforced, these laws breed intolerance.

We are all different from one another, but we all have the same human rights. I am proud to stand for the equality of all people – including those who are LGBT -- and will continue to speak out for the rights of all members of our human family regardless of any difference, including sexual orientation.

With my landlady of 40 years ago

In some ways, my visit to India was a trip down memory lane and I was happy to be able to catch up with an old friend -- my landlady from when I lived in Delhi 40 years ago. I moved to India in 1972 and formed a special connection with the country that has lasted to this day. When I left in 1975, I felt as though I left half my heart in India.

I have for a long time had a great personal affection for India. Visiting the country as Secretary-General, I see that India is not only an important country for me but much more so for the United Nations. India’s collaboration with the UN is good for its people and good for our world.

• Find out about the UN in India.
• Read about the Millennium Development Goals.
• Get more information on sustainable development.
• See how you can take climate action.
• Get involved with the UN Free & Equal campaign.
• Support the HeForShe movement.

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