The Impressive TimesNew York : India has called for discrediting those who oppose the expansion of the United Nations Security Council’s permanent membership and has strongly advocated for granting Africa its rightful place in the council. R. Ravindra, the charge d’affaires of India’s UN Mission, emphasized that Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent membership is a blemish on the council’s collective credibility. He made these remarks during a High-Level Open Debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace, convened by Sierra Leone, the current president of the Council.
Ravindra highlighted India’s longstanding support for permanent African representation within an expanded Security Council. He reiterated India’s endorsement of the African consensus, which demands two permanent seats for the continent and an increase in elected seats from three to five. The significance of Africa in global peacekeeping was underscored by Ravindra, who pointed out that nearly 70 percent of the Council’s peacekeeping mandates are focused on African nations.
During his address, Ravindra also emphasized the global threat posed by terrorism, describing it as a danger not only to peace and security but also to development. He reiterated India’s call for the establishment of a comprehensive international anti-terrorism convention. Ravindra further noted the critical role of development in peace-building, citing India’s extensive development partnerships with countries in the Global South. The cumulative value of India’s developmental projects has now surpassed 40 billion dollars, demonstrating India’s commitment to fostering global development.
At the third Voice of the Global South virtual Summit, hosted by India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a comprehensive global development compact, aiming to address the interconnected challenges facing developing nations.
Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, who presided over the debate, cautioned that the world remains engulfed by national and international conflicts. He attributed this unrest to a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, economic disparities, climate change, and the proliferation of weapons, all of which continue to fuel global instability.
As the debate unfolded, it became clear that the issues of Security Council reform, terrorism, and development are deeply intertwined, with calls for a more inclusive and representative global governance structure gaining momentum. India’s firm stance on these matters reflects its commitment to advocating for a fairer and more equitable international system, particularly for Africa and other developing regions. The discussions at the UN underscored the urgent need for reforms that would enhance the council’s credibility and effectiveness in addressing global challenges.
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