Time to make UN vibrant with India as Permanent Member: Sumitra Mahajan
United Nations: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has emphasized the need for urgent UN Security Council reform, saying it is time to make the powerful body ‘vibrant’ with the inclusion of India as a permanent member. In the around 30 minute long meeting, Majahan discussed critical issues of UNSC reforms, terrorism, peacekeeping and climate change with the UN Chief.
Ban commended the vibrancy of India’s democracy to which Mahajan responded that ‘now the time has come for a vibrant Security Council’ which includes India as a permanent member. She told Ban that India is ready to accept this new responsibility and the world’s largest democracy and emerging economy will make the Council more vibrant and representative.
Mahajan noted that the lack of reform has affected the credibility and effectiveness of the Security Council and said nations count on Ban’s leadership for urgent reform of the UN. She stressed that India strongly believes that democratic norms must percolate in the institutions of global governance including the UN and an early reform of the UN and expansion of the Security Council is an important priority for India.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Pallath Joseph Kurien as well as other Indian officials were also present during the talks. This was the second meeting between the two in about eight months. Ban had met the Lok Sabha speaker in January this year during his visit to New Delhi.
She also voiced India’s commitment to assisting the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security. Noting India’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping, Mahajan said India’s cumulative contribution of nearly 200,00 peacekeepers, including a fully formed Female Police Unit, exemplifies and cements India’s strong credentials as a responsible member of the world community.
