The future we seek to build needs a stable bedrock of peace: Alok Mehta

Padma Shri Alok Mehta, former President of the Editor's Guild of India, addressed the audience at the UPF International Conference on September 12, 2020. He was one of the speakers for  the topic IMAP: Perspective from the Media. In his speech, Mehta spoke about the media's role in the covid crisis and about the conflicts in Asia Pacific . 

Here is the full text of his speech.

Honourable Chairman, Universal Peace Federation, Dr Thomas Walsh & Honorable Eknath Dhakal, Chairman, UPF Asia Pacific and distinguish Delegates, friends.

Namaskar Greetings from India,

For thousands of years, Indians have turned to the East. Not just to see the Sunrise, but also to pray for its light to spread over the entire world. The human-kind now looks to the Rising East, with the hope to see the promise that this 21st century beholds for the whole world because the destiny of the world will be deeply influenced by the course of developments in the Indo-Pacific region. Because this new age of promise is also caught in shifting plates of global politics and the fault lines of history. I am here to say that the future we can shape this region in our collective hopes and aspirations. With a great vision of World peace and welfare of Human society, UPF is working since last few decades. Father Moon also inspired media world to work for peace and prosperity for a human being. I still remember when the World Media Association with UPF in 1997-98 in Washington with blessings of Father Moon to promote peace, prosperity and universal values for the global family. Now in the Covid -19 crisis, we have to work more for that mission to save world Society.

It is an undisputed fact that journalism, in today’s world, is challenging and requires concerted efforts from an individual to succeed. Journalism is the fourth estate of government. As it is quite possible that governance and government could be dynamic as they revolve around human’s daily activities, a journalist is also expected to be dynamic. The core purpose of journalism is to inform, educate and enlighten the masses on various issues. The revolution in communication technology, particularly the internet , has facilitated man’s attempt to grasp the knowledge of the entire world while sitting pretty in his study.The media has to maintain the principals of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability. Therefore I feel media should be more responsible and follow ethics to promote social values and UPF Media forum can create a better understanding among media persons of different countries.

Oceans had an important place in Indian thinking since pre-Vedic times. Thousands of years ago, the Indus Valley Civilisation as well as Indian peninsula had maritime trade. Oceans and Varuna – the Lord of all Waters – find a prominent place in the world’s oldest books- the Vedas. In ancient Puranas, written thousands of years ago, the geographical definition of India is with reference to the seas: उत्तरों यत समुद्रस्य meaning, the land which lies to the north of the seas. The Indian Ocean connects regions of diverse cultures and different levels of peace and prosperity. It also now bears ships of major powers. Both raise concerns of stability and contest. To the East, the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea connect India to the Pacific and to most of our major partners - ASEAN, Japan, Republic of Korea, China and the Americas. Our interests in the region are vast, and our engagement is deep. In the Indian Ocean region, our relationships are becoming stronger. We are also helping build economic capabilities and improve maritime security for our friends and partners.

A nation of over 800 million youth knows that their future will be secured not just by the scale of India's economy, but also by the depth of global engagement. More than anywhere else, our ties will deepen and our presence will grow in the region. But, the future we seek to build needs a stable bedrock of peace. And, this is far from certain. There are shifts in global power, change in the character of the global economy and daily disruption in technology.  Recent Corona crisis also created the biggest challenges for the world Society. The foundations of the global order appear shaken. And, the future looks less certain. For all our progress, we live on the edge of uncertainty, of unsettled questions and unresolved disputes; contests and claims; and clashing visions and competing models.

We see growing mutual insecurity and rising military expenditure; internal dislocations turning into external tensions; and new fault lines in trade and competition in the global commons. Above all, we see the assertion of power over re-course to international norms. In the midst of all this, there are challenges that touch us all, including the un-ending threat of terrorism and extremism. This is a world of inter-dependent fortunes and failures. And, no nation can shape and secure it on its own.

It is a world that summons us to rise above divisions and competition to work together. Is that possible? The Indo-Pacific is a natural region. It is also home to a vast array of global opportunities and challenges. I am increasingly convinced with each passing day that the destinies of those of us who live in the region are linked. Today, we are being called to rise above divisions and competition to work together.

The ten countries of South East Asia connect the two great oceans in both the geographical and civilizational sense. Inclusiveness, openness and ASEAN centrality and unity, therefore, lie at the heart of the new Indo-Pacific. it stands for a free, open, inclusive region, which embraces us all in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity. Southeast Asia is at its centre. And, ASEAN has been and will be central to its future. That is the vision that will always guide India, as we seek to cooperate for an architecture for peace and security in this region .we believe that our common prosperity and security require us to evolve, through dialogue, a common rules-based order for the region. And, it must equally apply to all individually as well as to the global commons. Such an order must believe in sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as equality of all nations, irrespective of size and strength. These rules and norms should be based on the consent of all, not on the power of the few. This must be based on faith in dialogue and not dependence on force. It also means that when nations make international commitments, they must uphold them. This is the foundation of India's faith in multilateralism and regionalism; and, of our principled commitment to rule of law.

Connectivity is vital. It does more than enhance trade and prosperity. It unites a region. India has been at the crossroads for centuries. We understand the benefits of connectivity. There are many connectivity initiatives in the region. If these have to succeed, we must not only build infrastructure, we must also build bridges of trust. And for that, these initiatives must be based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, consultation, good governance, transparency, viability and sustainability. For that media can play a very important role.

So, each nation must ask itself: Are its choices building a more united world, or forcing new divisions? It is a responsibility that both existing and rising powers have. Competition is normal. But, contests must not turn into conflict; differences must not be allowed to become disputes. Distinguished members of the audience, We will work with them, individually or in formats of three or more, for a stable and peaceful region. But, our friendships are not alliances of containment. We choose the side of principles and values, of peace and progress, not one side of a divide or the other. Our relationships across the world speak for our position.

Lord Buddha’s message of peace and compassion has connected us all. Together, we have contributed much to human civilisation. And, we have been through the devastation of war and the hope of peace. We have seen the limits of power. And, we have seen the fruits of cooperation.

This world is at a crossroad There are temptations of the worst lessons of history. But, there is also a path of wisdom. It summons us to a higher purpose: to rise above a narrow view of our interests and recognise that each of us can serve our interests better when we work together as equals in the larger good of all nations. I am here to urge all to take that path.

I wish and hope this International Conference will send a very positive fruitful message around the world to work together and save future generations.

Thank You Very Much