It was unprecedented, but expected as India has lately been raising the issue of her being included in the United Nations Security Council elite club at all political summit meetings the world over. In his pre-recorded video for the unique and landmark General Debate of the 75th session of the UNGA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised that the stability in the United Nations and empowerment of the world body are essential for the welfare of the world.
He also questioned that for how long will India, the world’s largest democracy and home to 1.3 billion people, be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations, asserting that reform in the responses, processes and in the very character of the global body is the “need of the hour.” This has been done after seeing that India is valued in the USA-backed Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), founded in 2007, which includes Japan, Australia and India. It is a “strategic forum” for routine exchanges of information, summits, and joint military exercises.
Obviously, it was a clear message to UNGA that India being one of the founding members of the United Nations has been kept out of the United Nations Security Council core group. He also questioned the role of the UN in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and also asked for how long will India be kept out of decision making structures of the global body. Due to pandemic, the UNGA session this year is being conducted mostly virtually.
India has also made it clear before the UN that its priority will be global action on counter-terrorism, a message which has not gone well with our neighbours Pakistan. India also opined that for strengthening global efforts the nation will be pushing for more transparency in the process of listing and delisting of entities. India is one of the largest Troop Contributing Countries in the United Nations peacekeeping missions. Therefore, this time she will seek to engage deeply in finalising of mandates for UN peacekeeping missions.
Promoting herself as a net health service provider and in this context, India will be highlighting its contribution to the global efforts to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As a pharmacy to the world, India has sent medical aid to almost 150 countries across the globe. Prime Minister Modi on the UNGA platform mentioned that “as the largest vaccine producing country of the world, I want to give one more assurance to the global community today. India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting this crisis.” Such messages were placed before the UNGA to ensure that the world listens and accepts that India is no more a country of magicians and snake charmers.
Modi announced through the UNGA platform that starting from January 2021, India will also fulfill its responsibility as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. India will always speak in support of peace, security and prosperity. He made it clear that the country of 1.3 billion will not hesitate in raising its voice against the enemies of humanity, human race and human values, which includes terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money-laundering.
“When we were strong, we were never a threat to the world, when we were weak, we never become a burden on the world. How long would a country have to wait particularly when the transformational changes happening in that country affect a large part of the world,” reiterated the Prime Minister. It was like announcing India’s resurgence through megaphones in UNGA.
India now believes that to make an objective assessment of the performance of UN over the last 75 years, there were several stellar achievements. However, there are also several instances that point to the need for a serious introspection of the work of the United Nations.
India had gained a lot of support, especially from Russia and the western countries in the UNSC in the wake of its nuclear tests and economic surge in the early 2000s. However, in recent years, that promise has waned. Efforts are being made to revive it and perhaps one day, the UN will be reformed and India will get the permanent seat in UNSC.
