General Assembly Security Council

Adoption of Presidential Statement on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Explanation of Position

15 September 2021

Madam President.

I am taking the floor to explain India’s position on the presidential statement just adopted on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

 

2. India has historic relations with Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. We are also cognizant of the significance of the River Nile as the source of livelihood and development of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. We also note the progress made in the negotiations based on the Agreement on Declaration of Principles signed by the three countries in 2015.

 

3. Since India is an upper, middle and lower riparian State with several rivers entering and exiting our land, any discussion on matters relating to such issues in the Security Council are of direct interest and importance to us.

 

4. It is important that this is recognized by all member states in the Council. We are equally conscious that negotiations on trans-boundary water sharing are complex and need considerable data, expertise and time to come to a satisfactory agreement since it directly involves lives of people.  Such negotiations are best held among experts bilaterally or facilitated by relevant technically qualified institutions.

 

5. Consequently, India is of the view that the negotiating parties should continue their bilateral engagements, as well as cooperate fully in a focused manner, to reach to a mutually acceptable, long-term solution to the relevant issues. Only such a solution will endure and serve the developmental needs of upper and lower riparian basin countries. We also urge other countries concerned to support the efforts of the African Union in that regard.

 

6.    India’s principled position is that as a general rule, trans-boundary water issues do not belong to the domain of the UN Security Council. It is therefore important to place on record, as mentioned in the last para of the PRST, that this statement does not set out any principles or precedent for the Council to intervene or adjudicate in any other trans-boundary water disputes.

 

I thank you.

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