How far will India go outside the UN decision-making body?

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening made a strong bid for a more prominent role in the United Nations Security Council – the highest decision-making forum in the world body, India, asking, “How long do we have to wait? How long will India be kept out of the decision-making process in India?” United nations? “

“When we were weak, we did not disturb the world. When we became strong, we did not become a burden on the world. How long do we have to wait? India sent soldiers to the UN peacekeepers. Missions and they lost the most number of soldiers.” The Prime Minister said in a strong opening remarks.

“ The ideals of the United Nations and the main principles of India are similar. Vasudev Kotumbakam (The world is one family) echoed in the halls of the United Nations several times. India has always thought about the welfare of the world. “

Prime Minister Modi, who was actually addressing the General Assembly through a pre-recorded speech, reminded the United Nations that 130 crores of India still believed in its ideals, but said the global body needs to adapt and change to stay relevant in present times.

“Reform is needed in the United Nations, and India is waiting for it to happen,” the prime minister said.

The Security Council (UNSC) is the highest decision-making forum in the United Nations and is the only one that can take legally binding decisions such as imposing sanctions. There are five permanent members – the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Russia and France, each of whom has veto power.

India, which previously served seven terms as a non-permanent member and elected Re-elected to a two-year term In June (semester begins January 1, 2021), along with Ireland, Mexico and Norway.

On India’s re-election, Prime Minister Modi tweeted that the country “Very grateful for the overwhelming support (From) the global community of India’s membership in the United Nations Security Council. “

Extremely grateful for the overwhelming support shown by the global community for India’s membership @a Security Council. India will work with all member states to promote global peace, security, resilience and equity.

Narendra Modi (narendramodi) June 18, 2020

However, India has long sought a steadfast role and a renewal of the existing system.

And the government said last week that it was According to the “highest priority” to obtain a permanent seat On a UN Security Council that “reflects contemporary global realities.”

India was supported in this bid by four of the five permanent members, including the United States. In February, President Donald Trump said he was committed to working with India to strengthen and reform the United Nations.

Muralidharan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, told Parliament, in a covert reference to China, that there is “a section in the United Nations that supports expansion only in a non-permanent category.”

After India was re-elected as a non-permanent member, China said it would like to enhance cooperation With all parties but not commented on the campaign for a permanent seat.

On Wednesday, the IBSA Group expressed its “frustration” at the “slow” pace of progress on Security Council reform, and said it was time to move toward a results-oriented process to expand the main global body.

In a joint statement, the three countries strongly called for the acceleration of Security Council reform, saying that any failure to do so could have dangerous repercussions on international peace and security.

Besides running for a permanent seat on the Security Council, the prime minister also said in today’s speech India will help the world fight the coronavirus pandemic.

He said: “As the largest producer of vaccines, I want to give additional assurance to the global community today,” adding that “the capacity for vaccine production and delivery in India will be used to help all humanity in combating this crisis.”