Jeffrey Sachs Advocates for Independent Foreign Policy for India at Global Seminar

Varanasi, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : The second day of the global seminar titled “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Challenges” in Varanasi featured Jeffrey Sachs, President of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). He urged the world to move towards harmony, peace, and green energy. Sachs condemned the war on Iran, labeling it both unjust and illegal, and advised the United States to adhere to the United Nations Charter.

Sachs emphasized the need to reduce dependence on coal, oil, and natural gas to achieve a carbon-free energy system, stating that fossil fuels are harmful to the climate. He highlighted the availability of alternatives such as solar, wind, and safely utilized nuclear energy. Governments, he said, should adopt green energy policies and aim for a zero-carbon energy system by the middle of this century, as renewable energy sources have become more affordable.

The SDSN President called for mutual respect among civilizations and recognition of our shared humanity. He warned that viewing others as enemies could lead to conflict and war. Instead, he advocated for harmony with one another and with nature, stressing that humanity is part of the natural world.

Sachs criticized Donald Trump as a significant destabilizing force in the world. He reiterated that the war on Iran is unjust and detrimental to the global economy, reflecting a disregard for international rules, including actions like the kidnapping of other countries’ leaders. He urged the U.S. to follow the same rules as every other nation under the United Nations Charter.

He also asserted that India, as a major power, should promote multilateralism through the United Nations. Rather than aligning with the U.S. against China, India should maintain an independent stance. Sachs expressed his opposition to the Quad alliance, which he believes is rooted in an anti-China policy.

Furthermore, he called on major powers, including India, China, the U.S., Russia, and the European Union, to respect one another, avoid interference in each other’s internal affairs, and refrain from deploying military forces near each other’s borders, as such actions are dangerous.

Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, Emeritus Professor of History and Philosophy at Lumsa University in Rome, echoed the need for peace in the Middle East. He urged adherence to Pope Leo’s call for peace through dialogue, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the use of bombs, especially nuclear weapons, which can lead to devastation at the end of conflicts. He stressed the necessity of returning to the ancient wisdom that places God at the center of all civilizations.