Speaking candidly, Rajput painted a grim picture of smuggling’s escalation, not just in India but globally. ‘It’s eroding our economies and security. A UN-declared day on February 11 would amplify voices everywhere, urging collective action,’ he said.

The proposal gained traction at a FICCI CASCADE conclave in the capital, featuring top experts. Discussions revealed India’s strides: 42 bilateral customs pacts signed, with 21 more in the pipeline alongside major trade allies. These deals fortify cross-border intelligence and enforcement.

CBIC’s Mohan Kumar Singh took center stage, calling for a paradigm shift in enforcement. Move beyond one-off busts to dismantling entire networks, he urged, by zeroing in on money trails, supply chain facilitators, and transnational links that perpetuate smuggling rings.

‘Organized smuggling is now a sophisticated, technology-fueled assault on our sovereignty,’ Singh warned. He praised budget measures like AI-driven analytics for imagery and enhanced port scanning, alongside GST and customs tweaks to promote legitimacy over illegality.

Enforcement triumphs in the fiscal year’s opening quarters were celebrated: 500 kg gold, 150 million cigarette sticks, 20+ tons red sanders, 120 kg cocaine. Air cargo intercepts added 50 kg heroin, 350 kg amphetamines, and 3,700 kg synthetic cannabis.

Rajput’s vision positions February 11 as a beacon for global anti-smuggling resolve. As India leads by example, the world must follow to safeguard trade integrity and national interests.

Delivering his remarks at an event hosted by landless farmers, Lula highlighted the shift from collaborative internationalism to aggressive unilateralism. ‘We’re in a delicate phase where might makes right, eroding the UN’s foundational principles,’ he stated. This comes amid reports of Lula’s intensified talks with world leaders including those from Russia, China, India, Hungary, and Mexico to bolster multilateral ties.

Lula is advocating for a landmark international conference. There, nations could pledge renewed loyalty to multipolar governance, warding off dominance by any one country’s arsenal or arrogance. His vision contrasts sharply with what he sees as Trump’s ego-driven foreign policy.

Echoing past criticisms, Lula revisited Trump’s social media escapades during a speech in southern Brazil. At a ceremony distributing 1,276 homes, he ridiculed the idea of governing via tweets. ‘You can’t respect someone by treating them like objects instead of humans,’ Lula emphasized, while pushing for policies curbing smartphone overuse in education and fostering empathy in society.

These pronouncements from Lula not only spotlight U.S.-Brazil frictions but also rally support for a balanced world order. As diplomatic maneuvers unfold, the clash of visions could define future global relations.

As the world’s most populous nation and a major global economy, India’s inclusion would inject much-needed representation for the 21st century’s multipolar reality. Its consistent contributions to UN peacekeeping missions and its growing economic and political influence make it a strong contender. Many developing nations view India as a crucial voice for the Global South, advocating for fairness in trade, climate justice, and institutional reform. Its permanent membership would significantly amplify the influence of emerging economies on the world stage.

Notably, four of the five permanent UNSC members have voiced support for India’s aspirations. The United States, through statements from both former President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, has affirmed its backing for India’s permanent status in a reformed council. France, under President Emmanuel Macron, has also strongly endorsed India’s bid, alongside other significant global players like Germany, Japan, and Brazil, as well as representation from African nations. The United Kingdom, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently advocating for India’s permanent role, adds further weight. Russia has consistently supported India’s claim, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighting the shift in global power dynamics since the UN’s inception. Beyond these major powers, countries such as Portugal, Kuwait, Bhutan, Mauritius, and the African Union have also openly declared their support for India’s permanent membership on the UNSC.

This re-election underscores India’s commitment to multilateralism and its active participation in international forums dedicated to upholding human rights. As a founding member of the UN, India has consistently championed dialogue and cooperation to address pressing global challenges. The Human Rights Council, established in 2006, serves as the primary UN body for promoting and protecting human rights, with its 47 member states working collaboratively to address violations and recommend solutions.

India’s participation in the Council is rooted in its belief that the UN remains the most effective platform for tackling contemporary global issues. The nation is dedicated to working with other member states to find equitable solutions for challenges spanning peacebuilding, sustainable development, climate change, terrorism, and public health, among others. This renewed mandate will allow India to further contribute to the Council’s vital work.

Dujarric believes that lasting peace globally is unattainable without substantial reforms within the UN and a rebalancing of the veto power.

According to Dujarric, the UN was established to foster peace, eliminate international crime, and prevent war. However, the current situation is the reverse. Countries committing war crimes are, in effect, taking action against the UN.

Israel serves as a prime example. Despite accusations of war crimes against its Prime Minister, Israel has barred the UN Secretary-General from entering the country. Furthermore, Israel is reportedly involved in cutting UN funds through its allies.

During the interview, Dujarric revealed that Guterres has two main priorities. The first is to end ongoing conflicts through diplomatic pressure, an effort in which Guterres has thus far been unsuccessful.

The second priority is to bring about fundamental changes within the United Nations. Guterres has previously advocated for the inclusion of India, Brazil, and an African nation as permanent members of the UN.

Dujarric stated that superpowers are unwilling to allow these changes. Without these reforms, he believes the organization will lose credibility, its voice will be unheard, and it will become purposeless.

Former US President Donald Trump criticized the UN during a meeting, stating that the UN only issues letters instead of taking concrete actions to prevent war. Trump argued that the UN was failing in its duties, and he had to take on the responsibilities the UN should be handling.