New Delhi: Describing India as a “messenger of peace”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country has always contributed to global peace, unity and harmony through United Nations (UN) missions across the world.

He said India is the third highest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, with around 7,000 of its security personnel deployed on various missions across the world.

Besides, the Indian forces have imparted peacekeeping training to their counterparts from 85 countries and have been providing medical services to people of a number of countries, Modi said in his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat.

In his 30-minute broadcast, he also talked about India’s tradition of respecting the nature through festivals such as ‘Chhat’ (where devotees pray to the Sun deity) and referred to the ongoing cleanliness campaign.

He mentioned the role played by the first Deputy Prime Minister of India Sardar Vallabhai Patel in laying the foundation of the country’s unity and urged people to participate in the ‘Run for Unity’, to be organised on the late leader’s birth anniversary, on October 31, which also happens to be the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi.

Talking about the upcoming Children’s Day, celebrated on the birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on November 14, Modi expressed concern over the growing population of children with diabetes.

He said ailments such as diabetes occur mainly due to lifestyle and exhorted the children to play outdoors more to be healthy and escape such ailments.

He also referred to the just-concluded FIFA Under-17 World Cup held in India for the first time and expressed happiness over the host team’s performance, saying it had won hearts, if not medals.

He also spoke about Guru Nanak Jayanti, which falls on November 4 and hails the first Sikh Guru, describing him as a “world guru” who thought about the welfare of humanity.

Hailing the Indian armed forces, the prime minister mentioned his recent visit to Gurez near the Line of Control in Jammu Kashmir to spend the Hindu festival of Diwali with brave security personnel.

Describing it as an “unforgettable” experience, he lauded the “struggle, dedication and sacrifices” of the armed forces personnel who work in extremely difficult conditions at the borders to protect the country.

He said Indian forces are deployed not only on the borders of the nation but also play a role in establishing peace across the world as UN peacekeepers.

Referring to the UN Day celebrated on October 24, he said it is an occasion to remember the efforts of the UN to establish peace in the world.

“We are believers of vasudev kutumbakam, which means the whole world is one. And because of this belief, India has been an active participant in the UN’s key initiatives,” Modi said.

“India, as a messenger of peace, has always vouched for peace, unity and harmony in the world. It is our belief that everyone should live in peace and harmony, and move towards a better and peaceful tomorrow,” the prime minister said.

He said, as of August, India has participated in about 50 out of 71 UN peacekeeping operations undertaken in countries such as Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Congo, Cyprus, Liberia, Lebanon and Sudan.

In Congo and South Sudan, hospitals run by Indian armed forces have treated more than 20,000 people and saved most of them.

Not only have the Indian troops saved the people of those countries but also conducted people-friendly operations.

“The brave soldiers from the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha have spread the message of peace and harmony across the world,” Modi said.

He said the peacekeeping operations are not easy and the Indian soldiers have to work in diverse nations and adapt to local conditions, requirements and cultures.