Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Guterres Says Gandhi’s Lessons Urgent Amid Global Conflict
The United Nations marked a day honoring Mahatma Gandhi and his belief in non-violence.
UN chief António Guterres said Gandhi showed people how to oppose injustice without using violence.
He encouraged countries to use dialogue and empathy to heal divisions.
Guterres warned that poverty and inequality are hurting people.
He also said important rules and ideas that support peace are being ignored.
India’s UN ambassador, Harish Parvathaneni, said Gandhi’s ideas can help make development fairer and protect the environment.
He added that self-reliance and respect for different cultures remain valuable.
Parvathaneni said these principles can guide people facing conflicts and other global challenges.
He also connected them to India’s proposed Security Council motto, SHANTI, meaning peace in Hindi.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres marked the October 2 International Day of Non-Violence by honoring Mahatma Gandhi.
Guterres said dialogue and non-violence can challenge injustice without repeating the violence behind it.
He warned that poverty and inequality are worsening suffering, while the UN Charter, human rights, international law and diplomacy are being disregarded.
At an India-organized UN event, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni linked Gandhi’s ideas to inclusive development, environmental responsibility, self-reliance and cultural coexistence.
Parvathaneni said non-violence can guide responses to conflict, climate concerns, extremism, technological disruption and inequality, and cited SHANTI as India’s proposed 2028–29 Security Council motto.
- Who
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres and India’s UN ambassador, Harish Parvathaneni.
- What
- They spoke about Gandhi’s non-violence and its relevance to injustice, division and present-day global challenges.
- When
- The remarks marked the International Day of Non-Violence on October 2; reports were published October 3.
- Where
- At the United Nations in New York, including an event organized by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
- Why
- To honor Gandhi and highlight non-violence, dialogue and empathy as principles for addressing suffering and division.
- Occasion
- International Day of Non-Violence, observed October 2 on Gandhi’s birth anniversary
- UN Secretary-General
- António Guterres
- India’s UN ambassador
- Harish Parvathaneni
- Event
- “Non-violence as a means to Peace and Development”
- Organizer
- Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations
- Proposed Security Council term cited
- 2028–29
- Motto cited
- SHANTI, which Parvathaneni said means peace in Hindi
