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OPINION OCTOBER 14, 2022 | The Indian Eye 10

INDIA IN THE UNITED NATIONS

SECURITY COUNCIL

India’s approach to the Ukrainian crisis, especially its responses in the UNSC, shows its independent and neutral
foreign policy. India has consistently called for restraint on all sides and peaceful settlement of the conflict

maritime trade, resolving maritime
RAJEESH KUMAR
disputes peacefully and in accor-
dance with international law, jointly
n January 2021, India joined the tackling maritime threats from non-
United Nations Security Council
I(UNSC) for its eighth term as a state actors and natural disasters,
conserving of maritime environment
non-permanent member. India se- and marine resources, and responsi-
cured 184 votes in the 193-member ble maritime connectivity.
General Assembly, including all the The second and third open de-
55 votes of the Asia-Pacific Group. bate on peacekeeping and terrorist
This massive support can be seen as threats were chaired by External
a befitting acknowledgement of In- Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The
dia’s growing prominence at the high open debate on terrorist attacks’
tables. India’s membership came at threats to international peace and
a time of intensifying great power security took place on 19 August,
rivalry and increased anti-multilater- the eve of the International Day of
al sentiments. The Ukraine war, for Remembrance and Tribute to the
instance, has exposed deep divisions Victims of Terrorism. During the
in the UNSC. In addition, issues such meeting, Jaishankar reiterated his
as the COVID-19 pandemic and cli- French Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes an Indian delegation for the UN consultations eight-point counter-terrorism action
mate change have exacerbated the right before France assumes UNSC chair recently (ANI Photo/ Emmanuel Lenain Twitter) plan and called for the early adoption
predicament of multilateral institu- of a UN Comprehensive Convention
tions. Consequently, the challenge For instance, India’s first term dia was also elected as the Chair of on International Terrorism. India
before India was to help the UNSC to in the Council and its first presiden- the Taliban Sanctions Committee, also asked all nations to commit to
reinvigorate multilateralism. India’s cy coincided with the outbreak of the Chair of the Libya Sanctions zero tolerance for terrorism.
voting response and its August 2021 the Korean War (1950–51). During Committee and the Vice-Chair of During the open debate on
presidency show that India contribut- India’s second and third terms, the the Counter-Terrorism Committee peacekeeping, India proposed a
ed to expanding the UNSC agenda.
Council was predominantly focused (CTC). It was also elected as one of four-point framework for UN peace-
on heightened tensions in West Asia, the Vice-Chairs of the Non-Prolifer- keepers to meet contemporary
Before the current term, In- notably the two Arab–Israeli wars in ation of Weapons of Mass Destruc- threats. These included the need to

dia was elected as a non-per- 1967 and 1973. Israel’s first invasion tion Committee and the Working employ technologies that are op-
of Lebanon, the first Gulf War and Group to monitor the implementa- erationally proven, cost-effective,
manent member of the UNSC the conflicts in Libya and Syria were tion of UNSC sanctions on Al Qaida widely available, environmentally
seven times. India served the the other major conflict situations and the Taliban. In January 2022, In- friendly, dependable, and field ser-
that occurred during India’s UNSC dia assumed the Chair of the Count- viceable. Secondly, India called for
Council in 1950–51, 1967–68, terms in 1977–78, 1984–85 and 2011– er-Terrorism Committee (CTC). a solid information and intelligence
One of the most significant oc-
1972–73, 1977–78, 1984–85, 12, respectively. currences during the current term foundation to ensure early warning
and mobilization of early response.
For the 2021–22 term, India’s
1991–92, and 2011–12. Ex- primary objective in the UNSC was was India’s UNSC presidency in Au- Thirdly, ensuring that technological
cept for the first time, when to implement a new orientation for gust 2021. India undertook its tenth advancements are readily available
a reformed multilateral system. This
tenure as President of the UNSC in
on the ground and fourthly, the need
it represented the Common- was guided by Prime Minister Naren- August 2021 and organized three for consistent technological training
wealth group, India has been dra Modi’s ‘five S’ approach—Sam- signature events—open debates on and capacity building for peacekeep-
man (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), maritime security, peacekeeping, ers was stressed.
elected on behalf of the Asian Sahyog (Cooperation), Shanti and terrorism. Prime Minister Modi The other significant issue that
regional grouping. India’s (Peace) and Samriddhi (Prosperity). chaired the high-level open debate came before the Security Council
during India’s presidency was the
on maritime security, becoming the
India identified five priorities for
UNSC membership always co- the current term: seeking responsible first Indian PM to preside over a Afghan crisis, which began with the
incided with some significant and inclusive solutions; result-orient- UNSC meeting. It was the first stand- withdrawal of US-NATO troops,
ed measures to counter international alone discussion on maritime securi- followed by the Taliban’s takeover
events in international politics. terrorism; reformed multilateralism ty in the UNSC and produced the of the country in August 2021. As
These years were testing times to reflect contemporary realities; first presidential statement on the the Council’s president, India held a
and
peacekeeping;
issue. During the debate, India also
briefing, issued two press statements
streamlining
for the UNSC. technology with a human touch. outlined a five-principle framework condemning terrorist attacks, and
Moreover, in January 2021, In- that included—removing barriers to Continued at next page... >>
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