Asian nations must work for promoting non-conflicting views:

Asian countries and democratic societies must work together to preserve and promote non-conflicting traditions and democratic values, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said today.
"We need to resolve our difference through peaceful dialogue, through better dialogue as we would say in India. We need to seek greater convergence in our mindsets. We need to distill the wisdom inherent in our Asian heritage to show us the way forward," Rijiju said, addressing a symposium on 'Shared Values and Democracy in Asia' here.
The Minister of State for Home said that when the world is witnessing increasing levels of polarisation in conflict situations, democratic societies must work together to preserve and promote non-conflicting traditions and democratic values.

The symposium was jointly organised by New Delhi-based Vivekananda International Foundation and three Japanese organisations, including Japan Foundation.
Rijiju said there is enough room for all countries in Asia to prosper together but at the same time, a multitude of identities and interests have prevented many of them from achieving better results.
"Dialogue holds the key to good relations and that for the 21st century to be the Asian century, democratic societies must work together to preserve and promote non-conflicting traditions and democratic values," he said.

The symposium was a follow up to the Hindu Buddhist Global Initiative for Conflict Avoidance and Environment Consciousness held in New Delhi on September 3 and a part of the Global Hindu-Buddhist Initiative conceived during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan in 2014.

He said India is today the world's fastest growing large economy and its economic and social transformation "under the leadership of Modi is strongly rooted in the democratic ideals."
"Principles of democracy have been an integral part of India and Oriental civilisations and their spiritual traditions. The origin of democracy and democratic values in these societies can be traced back to the teachings of Buddhism, Hinduism and Shintoism and other philosophies which emphasised the collective good of society," he said.
Rijiju, the lone Buddhist in the Modi Ministry, said both Hinduism and Buddhism encouraged differing thoughts and viewpoints and they advocated dialogue and emphasised the power of change and conviction through a democratic process.

"This provided a strong cultural base for societies development and acceptance of diversity. For democracies to flourish, it is essential that Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam come together," he said.
The Minister said he was confident that the 21st century will prove to be the Asian century and the world is looking up to Asia not only to provide the engines for global economic recovery but also for ideas and leadership critical for harmonious global relations.
"Asia should be capable of meeting global challenges emerging from conflict-prone ideologies and societies," he said.
A video message of Prime Minister Modi was played at the symposium where he touched upon the common value system across Asian civilisations which could avoid conflicts among humans and between humans and nature.

Rijiju later called on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and attended a banquet hosted by the Premier for the participants of the the symposium.