Report of the Security Council for 2020 to the United Nations General Assembly

11 June 2021

India Statement

By

Mr. R. Madhu Sudan

Counsellor

Mr. President, 

We welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate on the Report of the Security Council. 

2.  Being in our sixth month in the Security Council this tenure, we are encouraged by the fact that this report has been presented well on time before the deadline of 31 May. We would like to commend the delegation of Niger for taking the lead in the preparation of this report. We would also like to thank Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Indonesia and South Africa for their contributions to the report and to the functioning of the Security Council during their tenure in the Council. We look forward to a productive relationship with the new members in the Council next year, namely Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the UAE.

Mr. President, 

3. The General Assembly debates on the reports of the Security Council time and again have sought more in-depth analysis by the Council of its work in the annual reports. Unfortunately, this request has not been heeded to by the Council, whose functioning is based on anachronistic working methods centered around the principle of decision making by consensus. This principle affects mostly the elected members, who ironically hold the majority voice in the Council.

4. We do believe that it is important for the Security Council to pay more attention to its report to the General Assembly rather than view it as a mere formality. The General Assembly is indeed the most representative organ of the United Nations. The fact that there exists a separate provision in the UN Charter mandating such a report by the Security Council itself shows the importance with which this report is viewed. Hence, the annual report of the Security Council must inform, highlight and analyze the measures that it has decided upon or taken to maintain international peace and security during the reporting period.

Mr. President, 

5. Among other things, my delegation reiterates the need for analysis of the UN peacekeeping operations, the flagship tool for the maintenance of international peace and security. We need more information on how peacekeeping operations are run, the problems they face, on why certain mandates are set or changed, or on when and why they are strengthened, scaled down or ended. As most peacekeepers are contributed by non-Council members, who put the lives of their troops at risk to serve the cause of international peace, a better partnership between the Security Council and the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) is needed.

Mr. President, 

6. I would like to respond to Pakistan which sought to exploit this Forum and once again raised the matters that are internal to my country.

7. It is rather unfortunate that Pakistan continued to indulge in theatrics not befitting the dignity of this august Forum. It is clear that the international community in not getting fooled by this delegation anymore.

8. The decision taken by Parliament of India regarding Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are matters internal to India.

9. India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. Our consistent position is that issues, if any, between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere, including by taking credible, verifiable action to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross terrorism against India in any manner.

10. As a member of the Security Council, we will continue our efforts along with other elected members to pursue reforms in the working methods and better reporting to the General Assembly. I thank you Mr. President.

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