Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, on a three-day visit to the United States, kicked off a group yoga session for international diplomats on the lawn of the United Nations in Manhattan on Wednesday morning, stressing the nondenominational aspect of the practice that has roots in Hindu spirituality.

“I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today, and what an amazing cause to bring us all together — yoga,” Mr. Modi said. “Yoga means to unite.”

After his remarks, the prime minister joined the crowd for stretching exercises. He intends to travel to Washington later on Wednesday for a state dinner with President Biden the next day.

Mr. Modi’s focus on inclusivity at the United Nations stood in contrast to his political posture at home: Mr. Modi’s Hindu nationalist policies over his more than eight years in office, critics say, have undercut India’s religious minorities and his government has cracked down on dissent. India has a population of 1.4 billion people, including about 200 million Muslims.

Over the past several years, Mr. Modi’s government has set off protests for policies that appear to privilege non-Muslims, including, for example, a fast-track to citizenship for non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh and some other Muslim-majority countries.

On Wednesday, before the yoga session, Mr. Modi bowed to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, according to reports, a leader whose credos of religious tolerance and secularism were foundational to the country Mr. Modi now runs.

The event, also attended by Mayor Eric Adams of New York, was in celebration of International Yoga Day, June 21, an event Mr. Modi successfully lobbied the U.N. to commemorate nearly a decade ago. The prime minister has used yoga to try to endear himself to both the international community and the Hindu electorate with whom he remains widely popular, tweeting videos of his downward dogs and warrior poses. The Indian military has also broadcast its soldiers practicing yoga.

“Yoga comes from India, and it is a very old tradition, but like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic,” the prime minister said to the crowd seated cross-legged on yellow yoga mats before a backdrop of the East River.

“Yoga is unifying. It is for everyone: for all ethnicities, for all faiths and for all cultures,” Mr. Modi said. “Yoga is truly universal.”