India as non-permanent UNSC member gives 'much-needed’ balance in 2021 amid global crises

With India wrapping up first year of its two-year tenure as a n-permanent member at United Nations Security Council (UNSC), 2021 saw New Delhi providing “much-needed” balance at a time when world body was grappling with major geo-political crises, including in Afghanistan. 

India assumed rotating presidency of Council on August 1. Since n, from combatting terrorism to India’s predominant role in UN Peacekeeping, nation has played an important role. New Delhi's performance has also yet again indicated that world needs India to be at UNSC table permanently. w, as India’s first year in UNSC draws to an end, here’s how New Delhi attains several achievements. 

In a ‘2021 year in review’ video shared on Twitter account of Permanent Mission of India to United Nations, New York, Ambassador TS Tirumurti highlighted India’s achievements in past year. As India’s presidency began in August, Tirumurti ted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi for first time chaired a high-level Security Council meeting, wherein he discussed India’s vision of Security and Growth for All in Region (SAGAR). In same month, UNSC also adopted a presidential statement on maritime security for first time. 

“Visit of PM Narendra Modi to UN and to address UN General Assembly was certainly a high-point this year,” Tirumurti said. 

'India has been consistent in its support for transition to democracy'

While speaking about India’s predominant role in UN Peacekeeping, Tirumurti said that nation gave UN Peacekeeping a “strong” focus in last year. Indian ambassador ted that after nearly five decades, New Delhi piloted a resolution on “Protecting Protectors”, calling for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. Tirumurti went on to te that India even gifted 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines to cover every peacekeeper and every peacekeeping mission throughout world. 

When India assumed rotating presidency of Council, t many had anticipated unravelling of Afghanistan, which fell into hands of Taliban on August 15. In clip, Tirumurti said that development in war-ravd nation was of “great concern”, requiring UNSC to act without a delay. refore, Resolution 2593 on Afghanistan was quickly adopted under India’s presidency, which demanded assurances that Afghan soil will t be used for terrorism and that authorities in Kabul will act against all terrorists, including those designated by 1267 Sanctions Committee. 

Furr, “India has been consistent in its support for transition to democracy wher in Myanmar or in Africa” as well, Tirumurti said. In year-ender video, Indian Ambassador said that country continues to keep focus on countering terrorism. During its presidency, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also chaired a meeting on ISIL/Daesh, wherein he called for action against terrorism. 

“India helped shape Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS) in UNGA,” Tirumurti ted. 

Moreover, in Africa, India has sought to bring necessary balance to debates relating to continent. Tirumurti stated that India has made its views clear in ratio of burdening African nations with an “unrealistic benchmark” on ir sanctions regime. India has called for a greater commitment from global community to assist Africa fight terrorism.  

India to chair Counter-terrorism Committee next year

During its presidency, in middle-east, India has leverd its strong and historical ties to put forward New Delhi’s views strongly. On issues affecting developing world, India has also been a strong voice to protect ir interest. Tirumurti said that India even firmly opposed attempts by countries to bring issue of climate change into UNSC. 

“India also chaired Taliban Sanctions Committee and Libra Sanctions Committee. w, India will also chair a third committee - Counter-Terrorism Committee - next year,” Indian ambassador said. 

“Our performance again indicates that world needs India to be at horse-shoe table permanently,” Tirumurti concluded. 

(Im: AP/PTI)