Finance
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met with United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Annalena Baerbock in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss UN80, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the ongoing West Asian crisis.
During the meeting, EAM Jaishankar emphasized the importance of reformed multilateralism that is realistic of today’s reality, particularly in the Global South.
“A pleasure to host UNGA President Annalena Baerbock this afternoon in New Delhi. Discussed UN80, SDGs, AI implications and the West Asia conflict. Underscored the need for reformed multilateralism reflective of today’s realities, particularly of the Global South. Thanked her for her leadership and contributions,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.
Earlier in the day, Baerbock paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat in Delhi. The UNGA President arrived in New Delhi on Monday on a two-day visit to India at the invitation of EAM Jaishankar.
“A warm welcome to UNGA President Ms Annalena Baerbock on her official visit to India. The visit reaffirms India’s steadfast engagement with the UN,” the MEA spokesperson posted on X.
During her visit, Baerbock will participate in an interactive session with representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MEITY) about AI governance and legislation.
Prior to her arrival in India, the UNGA President’s spokeswoman stated that Baerbock will meet with the UN staff in India, led by Resident Coordinator Stefan Priesner.
This is the UN’s second high-level visit to India, following Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ February travel to New Delhi for the AI Impact Summit.
Baerbock plans to fly to China after her visit to India.
The UNGA President is fairly familiar with India, having even taken the Metro in New Delhi during one of her travels as Germany’s Foreign Minister to strengthen ties with the country. But this is her first term as President of the General Assembly.
During her maiden visit as minister in 2022, she stated, “Without a doubt, India will play a critical role in shaping the international order of the twenty-first century – in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”
She noted that the fact that India has lifted 400 million people out of abject poverty in 15 years “shows that a pluralistic society, freedom, and democracy are drivers of economic development, peace, and stability”.
Source: IANS
