India Reiterates Call For UNSC Reform, Stresses ‘Narrow Representation’ & ‘Privileges’ Given To Few

United Nations: Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call for the reform of the UN, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said the “Council must be made more representative of developing countries if it is to continue to engender trust and confidence in its ability to provide leadership to the entire world”, adding “it can deliver effective solutions only if it gives a voice to the voiceless rather than zealously guarding the status quo of the mighty”.

“Today, the UN has 193 Member States, nearly a fourfold increase from 1945. The narrow representation and privileges of a few in the primary decision-making organ of the UN poses a serious challenge to its credibility and effectiveness. How can we explain the contradiction of Africa not being represented in the Security Council in the permanent category, even though African issues dominate its agenda?” Shringla said in his statement at the UNSC high-level meeting on “Maintenance of international peace and security: upholding multilateralism and the United Nations-centered international system”.

“Speaking on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the UN last year, the Prime Minister of India gave a clarion call for UN reform, and I quote: “For how long will India be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations? Reform in the responses, in the processes, and in the very character of the UN is the need of the hour. It is a fact that the faith and respect that the UN enjoys among the 1.3 billion people in India is unparalleled,” he added.

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The Foreign Secretary said India as a founding member of the UN has “consistently displayed its commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter”.

“We remain committed to upholding the rules-based international order, underpinned by international law, premised upon respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all Member States, resolution of international disputes through peaceful negotiations and free and open access for all to the global commons,” he added.

Asserting India stood at the forefront during the UN’s tumultuous years of struggle against colonialism and apartheid, he said: “During our eight terms as a member of the Security Council, we have always endeavoured to be a voice of reason and understanding, a voice of the underrepresented developing word, a bridge-builder for narrowing divides and fostering consensus. We have been the leading advocate of the concerns and aspirations of developing countries and the creation of a more equitable international economic and political order.”

Shringla said “India has contributed immensely to maintaining international peace and security as a leading troop contributing country towards UN Peacekeeping Missions, having sacrificed the highest number of lives in this noble endeavor”.

“We have also fostered global socio-economic development through transparent, viable, sustainable and demand-driven partnership programmes. On climate action, India is today one of the few countries, which is on track to meet its mitigation commitments under the Paris Agreement. We have also taken the lead in launching important multilateral initiatives on climate action like the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure,” he added.

Shringla said India has over the past year alone provided Covid-19 vaccines, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment to more than 150 countries across the world.

“In that same spirit of friendship and solidarity, we extend deep appreciation to those that have come forward to provide us with some priority requirements to battle the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that we are currently facing,” he added.

Shringla further said India has also worked with South Africa and other partners in the World Trade Organisation to seek a relaxation in the norms of the TRIPS agreement to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries during the Covid pandemic.

“This waiver will be an important step for enabling the rapid scaling up of manufacture and timely availability of affordable Covid-19 vaccines and essential medical products on a global basis,” he added.