UNITED NATIONS: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UN debut on Saturday presented a worldview shaped by ancient tradition, promoting multilateralism as well as yoga.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist who swept to power earlier this year, addressed the United Nations at the start of a visit to the United States, which is eager to court him after shunning the right-wing leader for a decade.

Unlike most Indian officials at international meetings, Modi addressed the UN General Assembly in Hindi instead of English and delivered a speech rich in spiritual overtones.

“Every nation’s worldview is shaped by its civilization and philosophical tradition. India’s ancient wisdom sees the world as one family,” said Modi, dressed in a crisp black Jodhpuri jacket.

“It is this timeless current of thought that gives India an unwavering belief in multilateralism.”

The prime minister has in the past called for strong relations with the United States, a fellow democracy with similar concerns over Islamist extremism and the rise of China.

But India has historically resisted alliances, and Modi renewed calls for a permanent Security Council seat in a reformed United Nations.

The Indian leader did not come in time for a UN summit Monday on climate change and in his speech did not announce any new commitments on reducing carbon emissions.

But he touched on climate change, saying that yoga — “an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition” — would help address the problem. He called for the United Nations to consider an international day of yoga.

Yoga “is not about exercise but discovering the sense of oneness within yourself, the world and nature,” said Modi, who as a young man wandered the Himalayas on a spiritual quest.

Busy itinerary

Modi has scheduled a busy itinerary in the United States and hours after his UN speech headed to a festival in New York’s Central Park, where Jay-Z, Beyonce and Sting would also perform.

Modi, switching to English to address young Americans, hailed the Global Citizen Festival for its focus on eradicating poverty.

“I feel a current of hope in this park. Among you, I feel confident about the future,” he said to polite cheers on a balmy New York evening.

Modi hailed New York as a “great city,” saying that it has “assimilated the world in itself.” He ended his speech with perhaps unintentional echoes of “Star Wars,” telling the audience: “May the force be with you.”

The Indian leader later faced a massive crowd Sunday, with more than 18,000 Indian Americans packed at the Madison Square Garden sports arena in an unusually elaborate community reception.

Indian American activists have pressed for years to rehabilitate the image of Modi, who was denied a visa to the United States in 2005 on human rights grounds over anti-Muslim riots in his home state of Gujarat.

Modi denies wrongdoing and was never charged over the violence that killed more than 1,000 people.

On the eve of his visit, an activist group announced a lawsuit against Modi for “attempted genocide” and offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who successively served him a summons. The Indian foreign ministry denounced the lawsuit as “frivolous.”

Red-carpet welcome

After shunning Modi for years over human rights concerns, the United States began to court him in earnest as it became clear he would take power.

President Barack Obama plans a red-carpet welcome for Modi, including an unusual private dinner on Monday before a summit the following day.

But Indian officials said that Modi would not meet in New York with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who in his own UN speech on Friday urged negotiations on Kashmir and said that the Himalayan territory divided between the rival nuclear powers was “the responsibility of the international community.”

Modi said he supported dialogue with Pakistan but questioned Sharif’s manner in bringing up the issue at the United Nations: “By raising this, I don’t know how serious our effort will be, and some people are doubtful.”

Before taking office, Modi had been hawkish on Pakistan, and he surprised many observers by inviting Sharif to his inauguration in May to promote peace. But India in August canceled high-level talks to protest Pakistan’s outreach to Kashmiri separatists.