Though belated, as a latecomer to this august gathering, I would like to wish a Happy New Year to you, the Secretary General, the Secretariat and all delegations. 

 

 

2.    We thank you for organizing this briefing. We also thank the Secretary General for sharing with us his assessment of 2015 and the priorities for 2016. 

 

 

3. I have recently assumed my responsibilities and therefore, unfortunately have not been part of the many momentous decisions taken at the UN in 2015. We hope that the same spirit is imbued in our approach to issues that we take up in 2016. I would like to convey that we share with the Secretary General many of the priorities that he has outlined. At the same time, we also recognize the potential for us, Member States, to collaborate for the achievement of common objectives in other  priority areas. 

 

 

4.      The year 2015 was a path-breaking year for multilateralism when the '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development', the 'Addis Ababa Action Agenda' and the 'Paris Agreement' under UNFCCC were adopted. This year would be important for the follow up, consolidation and implementation for these historic decisions.  We do hope that implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a subject to which my delegation attaches very high importance. It is our hope that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda would propel sustained and inclusive economic growth in all countries, particularly developing countries. We are also fully committed to the expeditious implementation of the Paris Agreement 

 

 

5. The darkening shadow of terrorism has been spreading its menacing influence across the globe. Every day we are faced with distressing reminders to governments, societies and individuals of the threat held out by terrorists. Are we at the United Nations General Assembly content to remain silent by standers? Is it not time that we show a common resolve to rise above our semantic definitional differences and work on the long overdue Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism? Or are we condemned to allow each society or each Government to battle on its own? If so can we remain relevant to those who are affected by this scourge? We think it is time to have a closer look at what we can do more and do better together to build global norms to counter the common threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism.

 

6. Peacekeeping has proved to be an effective tool available to the UN to assist host countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. India is proud to be a leading troop contributor. We will contribute positively in all the deliberations related to peacekeeping. 

 

 

 

7.     My delegation looks forward to work on the templates outlined by the Secretary General so that we make tangible progress on them. We  would also hope that the spirit of reform percolates to areas which have hitherto remained insulated and we sincerely hope that this organization truly moves in the direction of becoming 'fit for purpose' in the 21st Century, in all its aspects.

 

Mr. President, 

 

8.     In conclusion, let me assure the Secretary General of the full support of my delegation for all his efforts for the realization of the objectives laid out in the Charter of the United Nations. Our engagement will continue, as always, to be both active and constructive.