India@75, Looking at 100: Going forward the India way

Source: The post is based on the article “India@75, Looking at 100: Going forward the India way” published in The Indian Express on 3^rd May 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – International Institutions

News: The article discusses India’s role in the United Nations.

How has been the role of India in the United Nations?

UN Security Council: In December last year, India completed its eighth term on the UN Security Council. It was a great opportunity for India to preside over the apex UN organ and take measures for the maintenance of international peace and security.

India is also putting efforts for a permanent seat on the Security Council in the intergovernmental negotiations of the UN General Assembly.

India-UN Development Partnership Fund: India is also taking efforts beyond UNSC.

For instance, the India-UN Development Partnership Fund which is administered by the Permanent Mission of India Office in New York, assists member states of the South with demand-driven socio-economic programs.

United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee: India’s voice on counter terrorism has moved beyond summits and high-level events and has become the mainstream narrative of the international community.

The work of India as Chair of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee is still acknowledged as a powerful voice for a united and cohesive front in the fight against terror.

UN Commission for Social Development: India presided over the UN Commission for Social Development this February. This gave India an opportunity to look into the social development issues, especially those related to women.

The deployment in January 2023 of the all-woman peacekeeping contingent to Abyei in Africa was a step in this direction.

Further, India’s determination to deploy women in the cause of peace is matched by the UN’s bold emphasis on a strong female presence in the field for social cause and ensuring optimal outcomes.

UN Statistical Commission: India achieved a landslide win, capturing 46 of the 53 votes, in the recently concluded elections to the UN Statistical Commission in New York, leaving many member states behind.

This shows that the world considers India as a responsible, caring and contributing partner, willing and able to bring value to the global issues.

UN General Assembly: India’s promotion of millets in International Year 2023 has gained recognition and acceptance at the UN General Assembly.

Further, the efforts of India to roll out vaccines is still recognised at the UN as India was the first country for many member states of the Global South for Covid vaccines during the pandemic.

What can be the way ahead?

The words of Swami Vivekanand, “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is achieved”, should be taken into consideration.

This is because India’s diplomacy will have a growing number of roles and duties in a rapidly changing world.