Marking the beginning of the country’s month-long presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Indian Ambassador to the UN Ruchira Kamboj reiterated New Delhi’s call to become a permanent member, highlighting its role as a “solution provider” during the COVID-19 pandemic and during crises in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Yemen, Sri Lanka, and Ukraine.
Kamboj emphasised that the Council would benefit from India’s “human centric, people centric” approach, pointing to its delivery of medicines, medical equipment, medical teams, and 40 million vaccine doses across the world.
Media Briefing by Ambassador @ruchirakamboj to the United Nations Press on India’s 🇮🇳 priorities for the month of December as President of the United Nations Security Council #IndiainUNSC@IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/hD9K1Zcjxm
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) December 1, 2022
In this respect, she declared that India is ready to take its place at the “global top table” to “bring solutions” and “contribute positively to the global agenda.”
She expressed regret that its bid has not moved forward, noting that the accession process is the “most complex” in the UN. Nevertheless, UN members’ repeated calls for institutional reform have given India a “ray of hope.” In fact, at the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, 76 countries supported the need for UNSC reform and 73 discussed it. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will bring the issue up once more during a UNSC open debate on 14 December.
At the same time, however, she acknowledged that such calls have been made for at least two decades, and the organisation has “not moved an inch.”
A productive Day 1 of the #UNSC Presidency! My engagements included:
— Ruchira Kamboj (@ruchirakamboj) December 2, 2022
☀️ Permanent Representatives’ breakfast meeting
🔨 Adoption of the Council's Programme of Work
🗣 Media Briefing on 🇮🇳's month-long Presidency
📢 Briefing the wider UN membership#IndiaInUNSC pic.twitter.com/Sw13vfwAT6
Kamboj stressed on the “undeniable” need to reform multilateralism, criticising the “anachronism” that has tainted the UNSC, which she does not reflect the “true diversity” of the world.
When asked about the nature of reforms needed, Kamboj said that India supports “comprehensive reform at its core,” which includes an expansion of the permanent membership of the UNSC, revising the veto, rekindling the relationship between the UNSC and the UNGA, and making the UNSC more effective and democratic.
She remarked that India would take a realistic approach to the issue of the veto power, saying, “Ideally, the veto should not be there for any member, but if that is not possible, then it should be there for all members.”
Addressing calls by countries calling for an end to the permanent membership configuration of the Council, she said that any pushback is critical for the negotiation process.
Briefing the media on India’s success during the past two years of its membership in the UNSC, the permanent representative highlighted that India has worked hard “to reach the different voices within the council” and achieve a consensus so that it speaks “in one voice.” She affirmed that India intends to use its presidency this month in the same manner.
One of India’s focuses, Kamboj said, is fighting global terrorism, pointing to the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee meeting India hosted in October. Furthermore at the UNSC meeting later this month, Jaishankar will also brief the Council on the threat of malign actors misusing digitisation as well as communication and financing technologies.
In my capacity as Chair of the #UNSC Counter Terrorism Committee, I shall shortly be briefing the Council on the activities and #achievements of the Committee under India’s Chair-ship.
— Ruchira Kamboj (@ruchirakamboj) November 23, 2022
India 🇮🇳 has made all efforts to ensure effective delivery of the Committe’s mandate. pic.twitter.com/JkeSN5A5xB
The beginning of India’s UNSC presidency also overlaps with the start of its year-long G20 Presidency.
Keeping this in mind, Kamboj opined that the world is looking to the G20 with “much hope” during this “time of crisis and chaos in the world.” She asserted that the G20 leadership is a “watershed moment” for India, which will push for “pragmatic global solutions.” She stressed that India’s leadership of the two groups will be ambitious, decisive, and all-inclusive.
Speaking of the need for inclusivity, Kamboj pointed to how the Ukraine war has disproportionately impacted the Global South, inflicting “collateral damage” in the form of energy and food insecurity.
Kamboj also pushed back against pressure to align with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, saying India stands “tall and proud on its own.” India has resisted pressure to outright condemn Russia for its invasion but has repeatedly called for peace, diplomacy, and dialogue and kept communication channels open with both sides.
For example, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EAM S. Jaishankar have held meetings with both Ukrainian and Russian officials. India has already provided 12 medical consignments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and continues to maintain an “important relationship” with Russia while also having a comprehensive strategic partnership with the United States.
#भारत 🇮🇳 दिसंबर माह में सुरक्षा परिषद का अध्यक्ष रहेगा। इस अवसर पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र में भारत की स्थायी प्रतिनिधि राजदूत रुचिरा कंबोज ने अपने कुछ विचार प्रकट किये। @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/FuZsj89COH
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) December 1, 2022
She thus refuted suggestions that India has taken a “passive” stance by not condemning Russia. In this respect, she suggested that India could be a valuable mediator in the war due to its voice of “moderation” and “reason.” She noted that India is making efforts behind the curtains to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.
Kamboj also stressed the need for direct talks between Israel and Palestine to secure a “two-state solution.”
Meanwhile, when asked about China’s rapidly-expanding nuclear arsenal and ongoing protests against COVID-19 restrictions, Kamboj said that India doesn’t comment on “internal and domestic matters of other countries.”
A journalist also raised concern about the deterioration of press freedom in India, questioning whether this would impact its ability to serve as an effective permanent member of the UNSC. She responded India does not “need to be told” how a democracy should operate, as its principles go back almost 2,500 years in India.
She added, “We have all the pillars of democracy - the legislature, executive, judiciary, and the fourth estate, the press, and a very vibrant social media.”