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Modi@UNGA: PM pushes for Indian seat at UNSC, assures Covid help

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Virendra Pandit 

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday questioned how long will India, home to the world’s second-largest population and also the largest democracy, be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations.

In a spirited virtual address to the 75th UN General Assembly Session, he asserted that reform in the responses, processes, and in the very character of the global body is the “need of the hour.”

In his pre-recorded video speech to the landmark General Debate of the UNGA, Modi said the stability in the UN and the empowerment of the world body are essential for the welfare of the entire world.

His fervent push for the UN’s reforms and the much-delayed expansion of the all-powerful Security Council came as India is set to begin its two-year term as an elected non-permanent member of the 15-member UN Security Council from January 1, 2021.

“For how long will India be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations? How long would a country have to wait, particularly when the transformational changes happening in that country affect a large part of the world?” the Indian PM asked.

The theme at the ongoing UNGA’s 75th Session is Covid-19 related: “The future we want, the United Nations we need, reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism – confronting the COVID-19 through effective multilateral action”. Most world leaders addressed the 2020 Session via pre-recorded transmission.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s stellar role in maintaining peace in the world as he strongly advocated for India’s permanent membership at the UN Security Council.

He also questioned the UN’s role in combating the global pandemic of Covid-19 and assured that Indian vaccines will be available to the whole world.

Highlights of PM Modi’s speech:

PM Modi’s address at UNGA came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi tried to play Islamabad’s fake propaganda while raising the Kashmir issue. However, he had got an apt reply from the Indian representative who exposed Islamabad’s blatant lies.

India, in its response to Pakistan’s mentions during the UNGA debate, said, “The leader of Pakistan called for those who incite hate and violence to be outlawed. Was he referring to himself? The only dispute left in Kashmir relates to the part of Kashmir that is under illegal occupation of Pakistan.”