Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s Foreign Minister, delivered a powerful message at the UN Human Rights Council, advocating for a big-picture approach to human rights that prioritizes practical gains over rhetoric. Via video link from Geneva on Wednesday, he called for focusing on development and empowerment to uplift the world’s most disadvantaged.
‘The world is full of conflict, polarization, and uncertainty. India wants to find and expand common ground,’ Jaishankar stated, favoring dialogue over confrontation and consensus over division. He insisted on zero tolerance for terrorism, labeling it an unjustifiable assault on innocents and a core human rights breach.
India enters its seventh term on the Council backed by overwhelming support—177 votes out of 188—carrying the hopes of the Global South. Jaishankar committed to advancing rights via genuine partnerships, rejecting politicization, selectivity, or hypocrisy.
He outlined India’s perspective rooted in its democratic journey: overcoming poverty and crises while embracing pluralism. Any regional instability or marginalized group weakens universal rights, he noted, subtly rebuking some Western critics for narrow focuses.
Technology should amplify human rights, not divide societies, Jaishankar argued. India’s DPI exemplifies this, delivering efficient welfare, finance, and services to millions with transparency. Amid rising threats from pandemics, climate crises, and economic strains, he stressed scaling such innovations globally.
Jaishankar’s address reframed human rights as intertwined with security and development, urging the Council to prioritize terrorism combat and inclusive growth. India’s sharing of DPI insights positions it as a leader in equitable progress, offering a model for bridging global divides.