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As India concludes its two-year term as an elected member of the Security Council and its month-long presidency with a focus on terrorism and UN reform, it has received praise from a diverse range of countries around the world.
India’s Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj said on Thursday. “When we spoke in the Security Council, we were speaking on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, or one-sixth of humanity”.
“But we are also conscious of the fact that we were also the voice of the Global South during our tenure, highlighting issues of particular importance to the developing world,” she said. “During the last two years, we spoke out in support of peace, security and prosperity. We did not hesitate in raising our voice against the common enemies of humanity such as terrorism”.
She said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said of the Council tenure “that we will use the prestige and experience of being the largest democracy in the world for the benefit of the whole world”.
She called a wrap-up session for India’s presidency and term for all UN members on Thursday, because the Council traditionally takes a break in the final week of the year due to the holidays.
T.S. Tirumurti served as India’s Permanent Representative on the Council beginning in January 2021, in the midst of the Covid pandemic, and he also served as India’s first Council president in August last year.
In August, Kamboj was appointed as the Permanent Representative.
India chairs the Council’s Counterterrorism Committee, and she called a special meeting of the committee in October in Mumbai and New Delhi to bring the horrors of terrorism to the members’ attention.
In “these polarized times,” she said, India was able to get the Delhi Declaration, a “pioneering document” on counter-terrorism, adopted at the Delhi session.
This month, India’s External Affairs Minister presided over two high-level meetings of the Council on reforming multinational organizations, including the Council, and fighting terrorism, both of which were well-attended.
Leading the polarised Council, where several interests collide and the president must remain above it all, including its own national positions, is a difficult task.
It was acknowledged that India pulled it off.
Austria’s Permanent Representative Alexander Marschik said his country was impressed “when you put national priorities aside and considerations of national interest aside for the UN, for the mandate of the Security Council”.
“India, as President of the Security Council, has demonstrated the highest standards of multilateral diplomacy and a focus on finding wise and balanced decisions,” said Russian Mission Second Secretary Nadezhda Sokolova. The Indian presidency accomplished a lot, “and this was made possible by the professionalism of your team,” she added.
“Thank you, Ruchira, for ably steering the work of the council throughout this month, marking the end of an eventful year for the United Nations,” Bangladesh Permanent Representative Muhammad Abdul Muhith said.
Apart from commending India on its leadership during its presidency, delegates praised the two aspects it highlighted: UN reform and the fight against terrorism.
India was also seen as the voice of the developing world’s Global South.
The UAE’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Mohamed Abushahab, praised India’s consistent advocacy for the Global South.
The UAE served on the Council alongside India.
“We particularly valued our partnership on counterterrorism and will next month, take over from you the responsibility of chairing the Counterterrorism Committee, as we navigate increasingly complex challenges and crises,” he said.
Morocco’s Permanent Representative Omar Hilale said that India had attached to counterterrorism “great importance throughout its time on the council”.
Kamboj’s smooth chairpersonship of India this month was praised by Japan’s delegate.
She said that the high-level signature event on the reform of multilateralism that was presided over by Jaishankar “was not only very important, but also very timely”.
According to South Africa’s delegate, in a body dominated by the five permanent members, the elected members “bring color to the work of the Security Council,” as seen in the signature events organized by India during the month of December.
Chile’s delegate said the meeting on reforms India convened “reconfirms the need for having a more representative Security Council where all member states can make effective contributions to international peace and security”.
Source:IANS
