Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed serious concern over growing disconnect in the present world that is highly ‘inter-connected’ like never before and called for intensified collective global effort to address basic problems like poverty and inequality.

While addressing ambassadors of different countries and students in Panama City on Thursday on the theme ‘In search of a more Representative and Relevant World Order’, Naidu asserted that India is seeking a new world order and action based on the country’s ancient wisdom and values that advocated harmonious existence and common good.

I am happy to be with the Students of International Studies, University of Panama and other Diplomats to share a few thoughts on the world we want and the transformation we have to bring about to make our planet a more happy place to live in. @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/k0RsTWkd6J

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— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) May 10, 2018

Naidu noted that technological and scientific advances and expansion of knowledge have thrown up new challenges like cyber security, terrorism, nuclear and chemical warfare, which are threatening human existence.

Unfortunately, despite expertise and mastery over the physical sciences, new and more powerful challenges have also emerged in the wake of our technological, scientific, medical and other kinds of progress.

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) May 10, 2018

Elaborating further on contemporary issues seeking solutions, Naidu  said “Corruption, discrimination, exploitation, violence and violation of basic human rights continue to erode social fabric across the world. These evils and perceptions of exploitation and failure of established governance systems lead to unrest, anger, rebellion and extremism. The sooner we effectively address these issues, the better will be our collective feature”.

Human societies cannot become empowered merely through armaments, nuclear missiles, supersonic stealth aircraft or geostationary satellites. Nor do mere signing multilateral treaties and agreements necessarily provide lasting solutions to such complex issues. @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/8Grr4J3fYx

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) May 10, 2018

Quoting extensively the ancient Indian sages and Vedas, Naidu said India always firmly believed in peaceful and harmonious co-existence including with the nature and these core principles hold the key for resolving current global challenges through collective action for shared benefits.

He quoted from ‘Prithvi Suktam’ which said “May out interactions among ourselves and Mother Earth be harmonious” and also referred to the Vedas to highlight the message “Let peace flow over the whole universe”.

The Vice President said “India seeks balanced pursuit of national interests while also upholding the broader duties and values mandated by our membership”.

Ambassadors of about 40 countries to Panama later interacted with the vice president Naidu and appreciated the major initiatives and their implementation by the central government and the fast growing Indian economy.