NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that dialogue is the only way to cut through deep-rooted religious stereotypes and prejudices that divide communities across the world and sow seeds of conflict between nations and societies.
Addressing through a video message to the second edition of 'Samvad- Global Initiative on Conflict Avoidance and Environment Consciousness' being held in Yangon, PM said he is a "product of the ancient Indian tradition that firmly believes in dialogue on difficult issues."
"As the inter-connected and interdependent 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," he said.
Talking about the environment, he said man must relate to nature and revere it and not merely consider it a resource to be exploited.
If a man does not nurture nature, then nature reacts in the form of climate change, he said.
Environmental laws and regulations, while essential in any modern society, afford only an inferior protection to nature, he added, calling for "harmonious environmental consciousness."
Prime minister said the ancient Indian concept of "Tarka Shastra" (debate) is founded on dialogue and debate as the model for exchange of views and avoidance of conflict.
It is only natural that the search for answers is led by the humanity's longest traditions of thought, rooted in various religions, civilizations, and multiple streams of spirituality, he said.