UN chief hopes Modi would attend UN General Assembly in Sept

UN chief Ban Ki-moon would "very much hope" that India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the UN General Assembly here later this year and particularly participate in the climate change summit, according to a top official of the world body.

"We would very much hope that Modi would come to the General Assembly and especially attend the Secretary-General's Climate Change Summit," Ban's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told PTI here yesterday when asked if the UN Chief has spoken to Modi following his election as India's Prime Minister.

"India has a big role to play on the issue of climate change, has very important contributions to make and we would hope to see him here in New York in September for this Climate Change Summit," Dujarric said.

Ban had last week commended the Indian government, its people and the political parties on peacefully conducting its weeks-long general elections, in which Modi's BJP had registered a historic win.

Ban had said the conclusion of the elections in India demonstrated once again that India's popular designation as the world's largest democracy is well deserved.

Modi had tweeted the congratulatory messages he received from world leaders on his win and appointment as India's new leader.

In a tweet, Modi had expressed gratitude to the UN Chief "for his good wishes" and said: "India values our long and proud relationship with the UN. We will continue our active contribution to the @UN & work with all the nations towards world peace & development.