News Analysis India

Tag: UNSC

  • Getting out Indian envoy, mission staff from Afghan was ‘difficult, complicated’: Jaishankar says in US

    By PTI

    NEW YORK: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that the movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from war-torn Afghanistan to India was a “difficult and complicated exercise” as he thanked those who cooperated and facilitated the efforts.

    Jaishankar, who is in the US on a four-day visit to attend a number of UN Security Council events, including a briefing on terrorism that will be held under India’s presidency of the powerful body, took to Twitter to share details about New Delhi’s efforts to get Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon and the Embassy staff out from Kabul.

    “Movement of the Indian Ambassador and the Embassy staff from Kabul to India was a difficult and complicated exercise. Thank all those whose cooperation and facilitation made it possible,” he said in a tweet.

    ​ALSO READ | Have not abandoned people of Afghanistan: Indian envoy Rudrendra Tandon

    Jaishankar’s visit to New York is taking place in the backdrop of the Taliban’s rapid onslaught in Afghanistan and the issue is likely to figure in his talks with UN officials.

    The C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force carrying around 150 people, including diplomats, officials, security personnel and some stranded Indians, landed at the Hindon airbase near the national capital at around 5 PM after a brief halt at Jamnagar in Gujarat, in the wake of escalating tension, fear and uncertainty gripping the Afghan capital after its take over by the Taliban two days back.

    It is the second evacuation flight as another C-17 aircraft brought back around 40 people from the Hamid Karzai International (HKI) Airport in Kabul on Monday as part of India’s emergency evacuation mission that was carried out following coordination with relevant authorities including US officials handling security at the airport in the Afghan capital.

    ALSO WATCH:

  • India assumes UNSC presidency; focus on maritime security, peacekeeping, counterterrorism

    By ANI
    NEW YORK: India on Sunday assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and will be hosting signature events related to maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism during the month.

    India took over the presidency from France. Ambassador of India to United Nations, TS Tirumurti thanked France Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, for steering the UN Security Council for the month of July.

    “Thank you Ambassador @NDeRiviere, PR of France for steering the UN #SecurityCouncil for the month of July. India takes over the Presidency for August,” Tirumurti tweeted.

    Meanwhile, France said it is committed to working with India on strategic issues as maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism.

    “Delighted that India is today taking over #UNSC presidency from France. We are committed to working with India on strategic issues as maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism, and upholding a rules-based, multilateral system to face today’s many ongoing crises,” Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain tweeted.

    This is India’s first presidency in the UNSC during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. The two-year tenure of India as a non-permanent member of the UNSC began on January 1, 2021.

    During the presidency of the powerful 15-nation UN body, India said it will be focusing on maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism.

    In a video message, India’s Representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti on Friday talked about New Delhi’s agenda as it will take over the rotating presidency of the UNSC.

    He said India will be organizing signature events in three key areas — maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism.

    Ambassador Tirumurti further said that New Delhi will continue to keep the spotlight on counter-terrorism.”Further, as a country that has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we will continue to keep the spotlight on counter-terrorism. I would like to thank Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) for counting to guide our permanent mission especially during our stint during the security council,” he said.

    This is India’s eighth tenure in the UNSC.

    The first working day of India’s presidency will be on Monday, August 2 when Tirumurti will hold a hybrid press briefing in the UN headquarters on the Council’s programme of work for the month. 

  • Continue to insist on release of detained leaders & end to violence: India on Myanmar 

    By PTI
    UNITED NATIONS: India has welcomed the ASEAN five-point consensus on Myanmar, which calls for an “immediate cessation” of violence in the country and that all parties shall exercise utmost restraint, as New Delhi reiterated its call for the release of detained leaders.

    Myanmar’s military seized power on February 1 after overthrowing the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and declared a state of emergency.

    Suu Kyi is among an estimated 3,400 people still being held by the junta.

    India’s stand was expounded when the 15-nation UN Security Council held a private meeting in connection with Myanmar on Friday.

    India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti later tweeted that in the Council, he said India welcomes the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ initiative and five-point consensus.

    He added that India will strengthen ASEAN’s efforts; the Security Council and the UN “should support their efforts. He added that India continues to “insist on the release of detained leaders and end to violence” and that New Delhi’s overall stand on the situation is consistent.

    Myanmar’s military on February 1 took control of the country for one year and detained top political figures, including de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

    The ASEAN five-point consensus states that there shall be an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint; constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people.

    It said a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN; ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management); and the special envoy and delegation shall visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.

    India has condemned the violence in Myanmar and condoled the loss of life, as it urged maximum restraint and called for the release of detained leaders, emphasised the situation to be resolved peacefully and underlined its steadfast commitment to democratic transition.

    The UN Development Programme (UNDP) said in its report, ‘COVID-19, Coup d’etat and Poverty: Compounding Negative Shocks and their Impact on Human Development in Myanmar’ that the ongoing political crisis will “doubtless, further compound the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic,” reducing incomes.

  • Funds allocation to MEA inadequate considering India’s foreign policy objectives: Parliament panel

    The panel said the provisioning of adequate finances is critical to ensure that India #39;s global footprint and diplomatic outreach is #39;not circumscribed #39;.

  • Pakistan opposes addition of new permanent members to UNSC

    By IANS
    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has opposed the addition of new permanent members to the UN Security Council (UNSC), warning of compounding the Council’s inequality and dysfunctionality, Radio Pakistan reported Wednesday.

    Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Munir Akram said this while addressing a meeting of the Inter-Governmental Negotiations Framework, geo tv reported.

    He reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on restructuring the Security Council by expansion in the non-permanent category so that the ideal of a comprehensive reform can be met.

    Akram stressed that progress in the reform process can be made only through consultations, mutual accommodation, and innovative compromise and not through bullying and coercion.

  • India and Russia agree to work closely on key issues at the UN Security Council

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India and Russia have agreed to work closely on key issues at the UN Security Council, in keeping with the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said both sides held bilateral consultations in Moscow on Tuesday on issues which are on the agenda of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

    It said the Indian delegation at the director general-level meeting briefed the Russian side on India’s priorities during its UNSC tenure.

    “Both sides agreed to work closely together on key issues on the UNSC agenda, in keeping with the special and privileged strategic partnership,” the MEA said in a statement.

    India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC on January 1.

    In August, India is scheduled to serve as the president of the powerful UN body.

    The MEA said the two sides appreciated the intensive ongoing bilateral contacts on matters relating to the UN, including with respect to a wide range of issues on the UNSC agenda.

    Last week, India held similar discussions with China.

  • India, China discuss issues relating to United Nations Security Council

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India and China on Tuesday held discussions on a wide range of issues relating to the United Nations Security Council, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

    The MEA said the Chinese delegation was briefed about India’s priorities during its UNSC tenure in the meeting that took place in the virtual format.

    “Both sides discussed a wide range of issues on the UNSC agenda. The Indian delegation briefed the Chinese side on India’s priorities during its UNSC tenure,” the MEA said in a statement.

    It said both sides agreed to continue their engagement on key issues on the UNSC agenda.

    China is a permanent member of the UNSC while India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member on January 1.

    In August, India is scheduled to serve as the president of the powerful UN body.

    The Indian delegation was headed by Prakash Gupta, joint secretary (UNP and Summits) in the MEA.

    The Indian team comprised officials from East Asia (EA) and UN Economic and Social (UNES) divisions of the MEA as well as from the India’s Permanent Mission in New York and Indian embassy in Beijing.

    The Chinese side at the meeting was led by Yang Tao, director general of the department of international organisations and conferences at the Chinese foreign ministry.

    India and China are locked in a military standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5 last year.

  • Mumbai blasts perpetrators enjoying 5-star hospitality under State protection: Jaishankar tells UNSC

    By PTI
    UNITED NATIONS: India on Tuesday asserted that the international community must not allow terrorism to be justified and terrorists glorified as it told the UN Security Council that the crime syndicate responsible for the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts is given not just State protection but enjoying 5-star hospitality, a thinly-veiled reference to the D-company head Dawood Ibrahim believed to be hiding in Pakistan.

    “First, we must all summon up the political will to unhesitatingly combat terrorism. There must be no ifs and buts in this fight. Nor should we allow terrorism to be justified and terrorists glorified. All member States must fulfill their obligations enshrined in international counter terrorism instruments and conventions,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a virtual address.

    Jaishankar was speaking at the UNSC Ministerial Meeting on ‘Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts: International cooperation in combating terrorism 20 years after the adoption of resolution 1373 (2001),’ the first address by the minister to the Security Council after India began its two-year tenure on the 15-nation body this month.

    Jaishankar proposed an eight-point Action Plan for the UN system to credibly address the menace of terrorism and ensure effective action.

    He asserted that linkages between terrorism and transnational organised crime must be fully recognised and addressed vigorously.

    He is the senior-most Indian leader to address the UNSC since India joined the powerful 15-member UN body as a non-permanent member this month for a two-year tenure.

    “We, in India, have seen the crime syndicate responsible for the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts not just given State protection but actually enjoying 5-star hospitality,” he said, alluding to D-Company and its head Ibrahim, believed to be hiding in Pakistan.

    In August last year, Pakistan had for the first time acknowledged the presence of Ibrahim on its soil after the government imposed sweeping sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders which also included the name of the underworld don wanted by India.

    Jaishankar emphasised that the international community must not “countenance double standards” in the battle against terrorism.

    “Terrorists are terrorists; there are no good and bad ones. Those who propagate this distinction have an agenda. And those who cover up for them are just as culpable,” he said.

    In a strongly-worded statement, Jaishankar said combating terrorist financing will only be as effective as the weakest jurisdiction.

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) should continue to identify and remedy weaknesses in anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing frameworks.

    He also added that enlisting and delisting individuals and entities under the UN sanctions regimes must be done objectively, not for political or religious considerations.

  • India to chair UNSC’s crucial Taliban and Libya sanctions committees

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: India will head three key panels in the United Nations Security Council after it assumed a two-year-long non-permanent membership at the body on January 1.

    The panels include the Taliban sanctions committee, the counter-terrorism committee for the year 2022 and the Libya sanctions committee. By heading the Taliban sanctions committee, India will get a greater say in the Afghan peace process and will be able to step up pressure on Pakistan over the issue of terrorism.

    Reacting on the development, the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Anurag Srivastava, said India’s tenure would be guided by a commitment to promote responsible and inclusive solutions to international peace and security.

    Meanwhile, taking note of the US government’s decision to extend the ban on certain non-immigrant visas, the Indian government said it is in touch with the authorities concerned. “We are engaged with the US government for increased predictability in the visa regime and to minimise inconvenience to Indian nationals,” Srivastava said.

    The US government had temporarily placed a ban on certain non-immigrant visas, including H1-B, till December 31 and later extended it for another three months citing the coronavirus pandemic. 

  • France backed India on Kashmir, didn’t allow China to play procedural games at UNSC: Macron advisor

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: France has been supportive of India on Kashmir and has not allowed China to play any “procedural games” at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), an advisor to the French president said on Thursday.

    On a visit to India for the annual strategic dialogue between France and India, Emmanuel Bonne, the diplomatic advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, said, “When China breaks the rules, we have to be very robust and very clear and this is the sense of our naval presence in the Indian Ocean.”

    Delivering a talk on “France and India: Partners for a Stable and Prosperous Indo-Pacific”, organised by the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), Bonne also said France is close to the QUAD — the grouping of US, Japan, Australia and India — and may hold some naval exercises with them in future.

    Noting that the French Navy is the only European Navy which patrols the Taiwan strait, he said it was not as a provocation but a way to assert the necessity to abide by international law.

    “Let us not go for confrontation and I understand that it’s much easier to say this from Paris than from Delhi when you almost have a problem in the Himalayas and when you have Pakistan at your border,” Bonne said.

    “On direct threats to India, we have always been very clear. Whether it be on Kashmir, we have been very supportive of India in the Security Council, we have not let the Chinese play any kind of procedural games. When it comes to the Himalayas, just check our statements, we are perfectly clear. What we say publicly, we say to the Chinese also privately, there is no ambiguity,” he said.

    Talking about his conversation with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at the Strategic Dialogue earlier in the day, he said the discussion was about strategic opportunities as well as the bilateral defence and security relationship.

    He said military cooperation and the Indian Ocean were also part of the conversation.

    “In particular we are sharing information, we are maneuvering together our navies, our air and space commandments are coordinating. We are building capacities and cooperating. When it comes to the Indian Ocean, we are working on maritime surveillance,” he said.

    Bonne will also call on other Indian dignitaries during his visit.

    The last edition of the strategic dialogue was held in February 2020 in Paris.