Violence never resolves any issue and no problem can be worked out by creating another, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address the first of the year.

He appealed to those seeking to settle issues through violence to return to the mainstream, saying they should have faith in the capabilities of India to resolve matters peacefully.

He urged people to together “forge a new India, where every issue is resolved on a platform of peace.” The prime minister pointed out that a few days ago, 644 militants from eight different groups surrendered with their weapons.

The biggest reason behind the reduction in insurgency in the northeast is that “every issue of the region is being honestly and peacefully solved through dialogue”, he said.

“On the solemn occasion of Republic Day, I would appeal to anyone in any part of the country, who’s still seeking solutions to problems through violence and weapons, to return to the mainstream. They should have faith in their own capabilities and the capabilities of this country to resolve issues peacefully,” Modi said.

Noting that the 21st century is the era of knowledge, science and democracy, Modi wondered whether anyone has ever heard of a place where life has turned better due to violence.

“Have you ever heard of a place where peace and goodwill have been impediments in the quest of a good life? Violence never resolves any issue. No problem in the world can be solved by creating another problem. It can only be solved by seeking an optimal solution,” the prime minister said.