United Nations: India’s month-long presidency of the UN Security Council saw significant outcomes on important global issues.
India’s presidency came to an end with the UN body adopting a resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, demanding that the war-torn country not be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists.
India is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term. It assumed the Presidency of the UN body for the month of August.
India began its presidency with a high-level signature event on maritime security presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was the first time the Prime Minister of India chaired UNSC.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the two other signature events – on Peacekeeping and Technology on August 18 and the briefing on ISIL on August 19.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield congratulated India for a successful presidency of the UNSC for August.
India held the Presidency amid critical Afghan situation
Under India’s Presidency, the Council held three sessions on Afghanistan and issued press statements on August 3, 16 and 27, the last one strongly condemning the bomb blasts near Kabul airport on August 26.
India’s presidency ended with a strong resolution being adopted by the Council on the situation in Afghanistan. It reflected India’s views and concerns on the issues of peace and security.
The resolution demanded that the Afghan territory not be used to threaten any country or shelter terrorists. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla chaired the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan in which the resolution was adopted.
Under India’s presidency, the Security Council, for the first time, held an open debate focused exclusively on how technology can aid in peacekeeping.
India began its Presidency with a high-level signature event on maritime security – the Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security: A Case for International Cooperation” – chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India also exchanged am MoU with the UN in support of the ‘Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping’ initiative and to UN C4ISR Academy.
Under India’s presidency, the UNSC successfully steered the discussions on various peace and security issues that are on its agenda, including Myanmar, Syria, Yemen, and the Middle East Peace Process.
