PM Modi addressed the 75th UN General Assembly via video link on Saturday evening
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening launched a strong argument for a greater role in the UN Security Council – the highest decision-making forum of the world body, for India, asking: “Until when should we wait? Until when will India be maintained? away from the UN decision-making process? “
“When we were weak, we didn’t trouble the world. When we became strong we did not become a bojh (burden) on the world. How long should we wait? India has sent soldiers to UN peacekeeping missions and has lost the largest number of troops, ”the Prime Minister said in a powerful opening address.
“The ideals of the United Nations and the great principles of India are similar. Vasudev Kutumbakam (the world is a family) echoed in the halls of the United Nations on several occasions. India has always thought about the well-being of the world, ”he said.
Prime Minister Modi, who virtually addressed the General Assembly via a pre-recorded speech, reminded the UN that 130 crore Indians still believe in its ideals, but said the global body must adapt and change to remain relevant in the present day.
“Reform is needed at the United Nations and India is waiting for this reform to happen,” the prime minister said.
The Security Council (UNSC) is the UN’s highest decision-making forum and the only one with the power to take legally binding decisions such as the imposition of sanctions. There are five permanent members – the US, UK, China, Russia and France, each of which has veto power.
India, which had already served seven terms as a non-permanent and elected member, was re-elected to a two-year term in June (term begins January 1, 2021) along with Ireland, Mexico and Norway.
On India’s re-election, Prime Minister Modi tweeted that the country was “deeply grateful for the overwhelming support (from) the world community for India’s membership in the UN Security Council” .
Deeply grateful for the unwavering support shown by the global community for India’s accession to the @UN Security Council. India will work with all member countries to promote peace, security, resilience and equity in the world.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2020
However, India has long sought a fixed role and an overhaul of the current system.
Last week, the government said it was giving “the highest priority” to securing a permanent seat in a UNSC that “reflects contemporary global realities.”
India was supported in this candidacy by four of the five permanent members, including the United States. In February, President Donald Trump said he was determined to work with India to strengthen and reform the UN.
There is, however, “a section of the UN that supports expansion only in the non-permanent category,” V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, told parliament in a veiled reference to China.
After India’s re-election as a non-permanent member, China said it wished to strengthen cooperation with all parties, but did not comment on the search for a permanent seat.
The India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) grouping on Wednesday expressed “frustration” at the “slow” progress on Security Council reform and said the time was right. come to move towards a results-oriented process to expand the key global body.
The three countries, in a joint statement, urged to accelerate reform of the UNSC, saying any failure to meet this obligation could have serious implications for international peace and security.
In addition to offering a permanent seat on the Security Council, in today’s speech the Prime Minister also said India will help the world fight the coronavirus pandemic.
“As the largest vaccine producing country, I want to give one more reassurance to the global community today,” he said, adding that “India’s vaccine production and distribution capacity will be used to help all of humanity to fight this crisis ”.
