China, India and the U.S. have found an issue they all could agree on Saturday with the three major international players joining in a call for the institution of an international Yoga day.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an international Yoga day one of his first global initiatives. He gathered support from China, along with the U.S. and Canada, to co-sponsor a draft United Nations resolution to declare June 21 as international Yoga day.

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Modi even touted Yoga day prominently during a recent exchange with President Barack Obama. He told Obama at a White House dinner where he sipped only warm water due to being on a fast that Yoga offered many benefits to the world. Obama, in turn, expressed admiration for Modi's energy and vigor.

The resolution soon goes to the UN General Assembly with Indian officials hoping for adoption by the end of 2014.

Fifty nations have joined in the Yoga initiative, including many nations at odds over other issues.  Other co-sponsors include Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Argentina and even Cuba and Iran. More nations, especially European Union members, were expected to sign on to the resolution soon.

Modi issued the call for a day focused on Yoga during his Sept. 26 speech to the UN General Assembly. Following the speech, the Indian UN Mission under the supervision of India foreign minister Sushma Swaraj started lining up resolution co-sponsors.

The resolution pointed out the positive effects of Yoga as it produced healthier and better lifestyles. Backers told the Times of India the goal was to gather overwhelming support for the resolution this month and gain adoption by the end of the year foe what was considered one of Modi's major foreign policy initiatives.

During his speech before the UN General Assembly when he broached the subject of an international Yoga day, Modi said Yoga was an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition.

Yoga was "not about exercise," Modi said, "but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature."

TagsYoga, international yoga day, U.S., UN