Permanent Mission of India to the UN

New York

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Media Briefing on the occasion of India Assuming UNSC Presidency for Dec 2022

[Thursday, 1 December 2022; UN Media HQ/2nd floor]

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Opening Statement

Good afternoon, everybody. I am delighted to be here to brief you on our Presidency of the Security Council for the month of December. At the outset let me say that I am honored to be in New York as India's Permanent Representative to the UN to preside over the Security Council coming as it does in the last month of our tenure of the Security Council this eighth time.

Over the last two years of our membership of the Council, I can say with confidence that we have been shouldering responsibilities well, and making every effort to reach the different voices within the council, so as to ensure that the council itself speaks, in one voice, as far as possible on a variety of issues. We will bring the same spirit to our December presidency.

You would have seen the program of work for the month that was adopted earlier today by the Security Council. There are several routine and mandated meetings scheduled for the month based on their respective reporting cycles as well as some mandate renewals that have been scheduled as well.

Given the holidays that come at the end of this month, the program is very packed. Nevertheless we have tried to leave space for any contingencies. Since you have the program in front of you I will not get into the details. I will however brief you on our signature events.

The focus is on two major themes: one, an all encompassing theme focused on building a new orientation towards reformed multilateralism, and a second theme will be a focus on global counterterrorism approach and the way forward.

So let's first turn to reformed multilateralism. It is very clear that the UN of today is far from reflective of the true diversity of the UN’s wider membership. 22 years after World leaders called for comprehensive UN Security Council reforms, we have not moved an inch. And there is even a lack of a negotiating text. Similarly, the global development architecture outside the United Nations is equally distorted and would require intense efforts to enhance the coherence and consistency of the International Monetary, Financial and Trading systems. There is a ray of hope, if I may put it that way. During the High Level Week in the course of UNGA 77, 76 countries favored UNSC reforms and 73 spoke for UN reforms. This is not a serendipitous coincidence, but a reflection of the thinking of the wider membership. Clearly the multi dimensional crises facing the world today demand a representative multilateral architecture that is reflective of contemporary global realities and is well equipped to meet emerging challenges. The UN must be fit for purpose.

Given this background, the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar will chair an open debate of the Security Council on 14th December, which we hope will encourage member states to exchange ideas on key issues, specifically how to inject new life into multilateralism in order to ensure that the tools we have today are adequate to address the challenges of the future. As well, what should be the key elements of this new orientation for a reformed multilateral system? No doubt, food for thought for all UN watchers.

Then on 15th December the External Affairs Minister will share a briefing of the Security Council on a global counterterrorism approach, specifically an exchange of views on the principles and the way forward. The threat of terrorism is grave and universal and it is also transnational in nature. You will also agree with me that there has been a resurgence of terrorism in recent times. There is also an increased risk of terrorists exploiting the proliferation of digitalization new and emerging modes of communication and financing technologies. The existing and emerging threats call for a renewed collective approach to terrorism. This high level briefing of the Security Council will provide an opportunity for the council to take stock and build on the recent deliberations of the special meeting of the UN CounterTerrorism Committee held in India in October. As you know India holds the chairship for this committee, it will also aim to arrive at a way forward for the global community's collective fight against terrorism.

Let me take this opportunity to also brief you very very quickly on the special meeting of the CTC held recently in Mumbai and Delhi. This was the first time that the CTC met outside New York in seven years and also the very first time that the Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee met in India. The adoption of the pioneer Delhi Declaration manifested the resolve of the council to deal with the new and emergent threats in a comprehensive manner through a set of recommendations for member states in the short term and the development of a normative framework, in the form of guiding principles in the longer term. And this will guide member states in addressing the threat going forward. The presence of the victims from the Mumbai terror attacks of 26 November 2008 brought a poignant touch to the events symbolizing the reposing of faith by the victims in the international community and a reflection that the council as a custodian of world peace and security does pay attention to the pain of victims and would work collectively to ensure that not only will the victims get justice, but also that the world becomes a better place to exist by getting rid of the scourge of terrorism.

Now there will also be two side events coinciding with India’s Presidency. The first would mark the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi at the United Nations on 14th December. In a simple ceremony, the Secretary General and the External Affairs Minister of India will inaugurate a bust of Gandhi Ji, which is to be placed in the prestigious North Lawns of the UN building. Needless to add, the event will take place in the presence of Council members, including the five incoming members of the Security Council, or the I5. The second side event will see the launch of a Group of Friends for accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers. As many of you would know, a more robust peacekeeping has been one of our priorities in the Security Council and in following up to resolution 2589, which had focused on the safety and security of peacekeepers the Group of Friends will keep the spotlight on a issue that is fundamental, and if I may say existential to the task of peacekeepers.

I would also like to mention that starting today, India has taken over another Presidency, that of the G20. It is indeed an honor for us to lead a group that represents 85% of the world's GDP and 75% of global trade. As noted by our Prime Minister, our Presidency of the G20 comes at a time of crisis and chaos in the world. The world is going through the after effects of a disruptive once in a century pandemic, conflicts, and much economic uncertainty. At such a time the world looks to G20 with much hope. India’s presidency would be a watershed moment in her history, as it seeks to play an important role in finding pragmatic global solutions for the well being of all, and in doing so, to manifest the true spirit of the world being one large family, which is very much a part of Indian ethos. As the G20 president, India will thus set the agenda for the year, identify the themes and focus areas, conduct discussions and deliver the outcome documents. As the Indian Prime Minister has stated, the presidency will be ambitious, decisive and all inclusive, underpinned by the thinking: one Earth, one family, one future.

We see both these Presidencies, that of the Security Council for this month and the G20 for the next one year as a new responsibility for ourselves. We will try our utmost to ensure that the hopes and expectations of the global community are met.

One final word, we will also be promoting millets, 2023 as you know is the International year of millets. And this was a resolution that was adopted unanimously by the General Assembly. Millets are very healthy, environmentally friendly, and in the course of the next few weeks and months we would certainly welcome you to some of our events where we will be promoting millets. Thank you very much.

Q&A

Valeria Robecco, (ANSA News Agency): Thank you so much. Thank you Ambassador for this press conference on behalf of the United Nations Correspondents Association. We wish you all the best of luck for the month ahead. My question is on Ukraine. So how many chances do you think there are, that the back channel launch between Washington and Moscow could lead to a pause of the conflict and for the end of the great Ukrainian cold and which steps are you planning to take in the Security Council to help towards peace in the country. Thank you so much

PR: Well, Ukraine is very much a focus matter in the Security Council. And there would be meetings on Ukraine so don't be surprised on that. As far as the question of chances is concerned, I think that is a hypothetical question. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Yoshita Singh (Press Trust of India): Thank you Ambassador and good luck for the presidency. You've mentioned India taking over the G20 presidency also, along with the Security Council presidency. Now in these divisive times, both within the council and globally, how does India hope to utilize both of these presidencies to sort of work together towards finding solutions for the geopolitical challenges that you've mentioned? Thank you.

PR: Thank you Yoshita for the question. India has assumed the presidency of the G20 today and we have assumed the presidency of the council today. As far as the G20 goes, the Summit will be in New Delhi on 9 and 10 September. There will be more than 100 meetings across the length and breadth of our country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. What we will do through the G20 presidency, our Prime Minister has already mentioned very clearly, that it will be ambitious, it will be decisive, it will be all inclusive. The effort will be to keep the unity, because India truly believes that the world is one large family and to this end, we bring people-centric solutions to the table and we will continue to do that during the course of the presidency. There will also be an outcome document. There have been many successes in India in recent years. We hope to bring some of these successes, scale these up and bring them to the world, share our experiences, underpinned by the philosophy that the world is one family and what the Prime Minister has said: one earth, one family, one future.

Pamela Falk (CBS News): Thank you very much. Thank you Ambassador for the briefing. It's Pamela Falk from CBS News. You have the visibility of both G20 and the Security Council presidency as you just mentioned, there have been calls including France most recently two weeks ago to support India as a permanent member of the Security Council. How does this visibility or how does this month here at least help you move that forward? And is it moving forward at all in terms of general UN Security Council reform? Thank you.

PR: Thank you. That was a very interesting question, and I will draw your attention to the last two years in particular, because human memory is always short. So let's begin with the immediate past. In the last two years, you would have noticed as the world has gone through these various crises, India has always been there as a solution provider. Let's look at COVID. We supplied medicines, medical equipment, medical teams to countries in need. We were there in response to humanitarian crises. We supplied 40 million doses of vaccines to over 100 countries. So all of this and more points to the fact that India is ready to take its place at the global top table as a country that is willing to bring solutions to the table and to contribute positively to the global agenda. And I will rest my case there. I can give you many instances. For instance, in the last four months alone, we have supplied 1.4 million tons of humanitarian assistance to countries in need, be these Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Yemen, closer to home Sri Lanka and even Ukraine. So we walk the talk and as we have repeatedly emphasized, one of the central tenets of our foreign policy is human centric, people centric, and that will continue to be the case.

Pamela Falk (CBS News): If I may, you've made the case for merits. Is it moving? Is Security Council reform in any way moving forward? Thank you.

PR: I wish I could say yes, yes, and yes, but I will definitely say that this is one of the most complex processes in the UN system. But there is a ray of hope. As I said, during High Level Week, many countries, the wider membership did express a preference for UN reforms and Security Council reforms, and we will work very constructively in the course of UNGA77 to hopefully move the process forward and in full collaboration and cooperation with all UN member states.

Toshiyuki Inaba (Kyodo News): Thank you, Ambassador. I understand you have a difficult task of Presidency ahead of you but I don't think we have this opportunity at the end of this month when your membership will end at the council. So could you wrap up your membership of the Council. You had the Ukraine war that made it difficult for the Council to function efficiently. How has it benefited India and other parts of the world for India to be a member of the Council? Thank you.

PR: Well, you know, I can go on and on answering this question because it gives me an opportunity to speak to everything that India has brought to the global top table. But very quickly, let me say that we have been very conscious of the fact that the Ukraine conflict has had a very severe impact on the Global South. There has in fact been collateral damage and we have stated this unhesitatingly so, in all our statements, and for that we have been ready to help our friends and partners in need. I've just given some statistics and figures and those speak for themselves. And importantly, going forward we will continue to do that. And as far as, you know, the pandemic and other situations in the course of our presidency, there will always be challenges, we look upon all of these challenges as opportunities, and I'm happy to say that we have walked the talk and put our money where our mouth is.

Stefano Vaccara (La Voce di New York): India, as well as other countries, have been waiting longtime for this reform. At least a quarter of a century, 25 years. So what is exactly different? What's happening differently that you think that will make some optimism that some reforms will come? Because always at the end there is a lot of talk and no reform. And I just also want to add one thing. You had a lot of position from countries that have another idea, they think that having permanent members is not going to democratize, give more democracy at the UN, so how will you respond to those countries that are in opposition to more permanent members. What is the opinion of India about the veto power? And finally, India, the candidacy of India was very strong. It's very strong because it is the biggest, largest democracy in the world. But lately the last years, unfortunately, for press freedom, it has been ranked number 150, for example, from Reporters Without Borders. So what is your, how do you respond to this criticism, that democracy in India, at least as far as to do with the freedom of the press as not being improving?

PR: So, your question carries several sub questions, so let me answer to all of them, I’ll try to do that. First of all, Security Council reform. I think you'll all agree with me that the case for Security Council reform is undeniable. The Council, as it is currently configured, is an anachronism. Now, the second part of that, we do know that everyone does not agree very easily on all issues. So if there is some pushback by some countries as you say, that is normal, that is normal in the United Nations system, as in any negotiation process, but I'm happy to tell you that the broad majority of the membership does feel very strongly that enough is enough and reforms are needed. We hope that we will be able to take the process constructively forward. I know there is some degree of fatigue, but to my mind, it is very clear. This issue has never been more relevant than it is today, and I'm very hopeful that we will be able to take the process forward, of course, always in collaboration with member states.

Now, the second aspect you raised was about democracy, freedom of press. To that I would like to say that, you know, we don't need to be told what to do on democracy. India is perhaps the most ancient civilization in the world as all of you know. In India, democracy had roots going back to 2500 years, the Shakyas and Lichchhavis, to those of my Indian friends who are here. Coming down to very recent times, we have all the pillars of democracy - the legislature, executive, judiciary, and the fourth estate, the press, and a very vibrant social media. The country is the world's largest democracy and, as you know, every five years we conduct the world's largest democratic exercise. Everyone is free to say as they wish and please and that is how our country functions. It is rapidly reforming, transforming and changing. And the trajectory has been very impressive, and I don't have to say this, you don't have to listen to me. Others are saying this

Stefano Vaccara (La Voce di New York): The veto power?

PR: The veto power, well, we are very realistic when we talk about the veto power as we talk about reforming the Security Council. Ideally, the veto should not be there for any member, but if that is not possible, then it should be there for all members.

Jordan Dakamseh (Addustour Daily News): Thank you. My name is Jordan Dakamseh from Jordan News. I see that there is a briefing on 19th on Israeli settlements in Palestine. The briefing also included of course Security Council Resolution 2334 and since its adoption six years ago, more settlements been erected in Palestine. Do you think Madam Ambassador that as long as this issue remains under Chapter VI, it will stay as is without moving forward? And what is your vision as Permanent Representative of India and also as President of Security Council, on solving this issue taking into consideration that there are no sanctions in place to punish whoever does not implement Security Council resolutions? Yet there are many countries in Middle East like Syria and Iraq, and South Sudan and Congo, all have resolutions under Chapter VII but when it comes to Palestine it is under Chapter VI. Thank you

PR: Well, let me answer your question this way. We firmly believe that direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine on all final status issues — I can see you are not agreeing with me — is the best way to achieve a two state solution. And India has always supported the efforts of the international community towards this end and we stand ready in future as well to continue our support to all such efforts towards restarting the direct negotiations in the Middle East process. Yesterday, we made a statement in the General Assembly also on the question of Palestine and you would have perhaps followed what we said. We stand by that.

Jordan Dakamseh (Addustour Daily News): Madam Ambassador, if you think negotiating can reach a solution then I assure you after 100 years we will ask the same question.

Edith Lederer (Associated Press): Thank you very much, Madam Ambassador. This is Edith Lederer from the Associated Press. I'm curious and I'm sure we're all curious, are you the first female ambassador to the UN from India, but that's not my question

PR: I thought it was a very easy question. And I was already nodding, yes so the answer to that is yes.

Edith Lederer (Associated Press): My questions are a couple of follow ups, first on the 19th, it says there's a briefing in the afternoon on nonproliferation. What part of nonproliferation is that?And on your signature event on UN reform, we've talked about certainly Security Council reform, what other reforms are you interested in having highlighted? You mentioned that Ukraine was going to be discussed during December. In my quick look, I don't see it on the schedule and also I don't see Haiti on the schedule, which has still been basically in a state of anarchy.

PR: Yes, thank you for all those questions. As far as Ukraine and Haiti are concerned, they may not be on the schedule, but rest assured the Security Council is very seized of both these matters and don't be too surprised when they find their way into the schedule. So the council is actively following developments on both issues. As far as Security Council reform is concerned. The position of my country is early reform with comprehensive reform at its core. Comprehensive reform is not just an expansion in the permanent membership of the Security Council, but also in the non permanent category, on the question of the veto, the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council and an improvement in the working methods of the Security Council to make these more democratic and thereby more effective. There was one more question on non-proliferation. So that relates to the Iran-JCPOA matter. My colleagues have very helpfully just reminded me about that.

Michelle Nichols (Reuters): Thank you Ambassador, Michelle Nichols from Reuters. Thank you for the briefing. I just wanted to follow up with you on some comments made by the Russian Foreign Minister this morning. He accused the NATO of trying to drag India into what he called an anti-Russian anti-Chinese Alliance. Does India feel like NATO has tried to drag them into such an alliance and how would you sort of describe your relations - India’s relations - with Russia and the West during this time with the war in Ukraine?

PR: Thank you very much, I’m glad you asked that question. I'll put it this way, India is too big a country. It stands tall and proud on its own. And let me amplify a little bit on that. In the course of the conflict in Ukraine, we have been very clear and consistent right from the outset, we have spoken in one voice, that we are for peace. Peace is also a side. And we favor diplomacy and dialogue. And to this end, our Prime Minister is speaking to both sides. Our foreign minister is speaking to both sides. We are among the few countries, dare I say, which is speaking to both sides. Our Prime Minister's comments that this is not an era of war has received global acceptance and incidentally even found its way into the G20 declaration that was recently adopted in Bali. So that would be my answer to your question. At the same time, as far as the conflict in Ukraine is concerned, we've been very mindful of the humanitarian situation. I'm sure all of you know that we have shipped 12 medical consignments to Ukraine, we have given financial assistance to build educational institutions at the same time, we do have a relationship with Russia, an important relationship with Russia. And as far as the relationship with the United States is concerned, it's a comprehensive strategic partnership, which has never been closer, tighter or stronger than it is today.

Michelle Nichols (Reuters): So India doesn't feel like NATO has tried to drag it into an anti-  Russian or anti- Chinese Alliance?

PR: I think I just answered your question. We are a country that stands tall and proud and stands tall and proud on its own.

Michelle Nichols (Reuters): And just on a lighter note, your presidency also coincides with the Football World Cup in Qatar. We have to ask because we've asked previous Presidents during previous World Cups. Will this affect the work of the Security Council in any way?

PR: No, I don't think we’ll be given a respite.

Susan Tehrani, UN Correspondent for WION: Thank you, Madam Ambassador. My name is Susan Tehrani, UN correspondent for WION. Best of luck to you for the presidency of the Security Council in December. It's also a very important day for India at the G 20. The United States, the Pentagon notably, two days back expressed concern regarding China over its new alarming nuclear drive and also the international community has expressed concern about the way China has been dealing with protests and demonstrations regarding its COVID policy. Considering the fact that China is a member of the UN Security Council and you may have an opportunity in perhaps responding to these issues, do you have any comments to make regarding those two issues, the nuclear issue and also the peaceful protests in China? Thank you.

PR: I would say that we don't comment on the internal and domestic matters of other countries. It is not for us to comment on that.

Evelyn Leopold (Freelance - Globetrotter Media): Thank you Ambassador. Evelyn Leopold. I've been watching the reform of the Security Council for longer than I will admit here, and the G4 by itself have not … each one of them has strong opposition from somewhere in the world or some of their neighbors…the G4 tried to organize or did organize a resolution that gave the schematic of what a new council would look like, without mentioning the names of who would occupy what. Japan then backed out of it because the United States at the time told to drop it, but it might not be relevant today. But I'm wondering if you are thinking of that rather than try the whole thing at once, you know, of putting the names and having a schematic and in the General Assembly because the Security Council could not agree on anything.

PR: Well, you know, you’ve heard that thing about not putting the cart before the horse, so we're restarting the process. I am told that the IGN starts sometime in January and we will work within the ambit of the existing process and we will take it from there. We will see how it works out and we will calibrate our position accordingly.

Dezhi Xu (China Central Television): Ambassador, it's so nice to see you again. I wish you a successful presidency. When you were answering questions to Valeria and to Michelle you mentioned that there would be meetings on Ukraine and India called for peace and dialogue to both sides and we know India has a very special position in the relationship both with Western countries as well as the Russian Federation. So as President of this month, what would be your approach to engage with all parties in dealing with the issue of Ukraine given the fact the two sides, they are obviously quite opposite to each other?

PR: Well, we will continue to engage with all parties. I think that is one of our strengths. It has been recognized as one of our strengths that we are a voice of moderation, a voice of reason and a bridge builder and we will walk the talk in the December Presidency as well. And I just will segue a little bit and draw your attention to what our prime minister has said in the context of India's G20 presidency, that India will work towards unity. And when we say that the world is one, we mean that humankind is one and we are there to help each other. It is in that spirit that India has been extending humanitarian assistance, been very effective as a first responder. So we will continue to do that in the council as well to be a bridge builder and to be a voice of moderation and reason, that is the India way.

Dezhi Xu (China Central Television): So we're confident that India would at least change the direction to a right way, right?

PR: I didn’t say that.

Dezhi Xu (China Central Television): You just hope for that.

PR: Yes, we will certainly continue to work with a lot of positivity.

Ibtisam Azem (al-Araby al-Jadeed Newspaper): Hi, my name is Ibtisam Azem from al-Araby al-Jadeed Newspaper. Thank you for the press briefing and congratulations on your presidency. I have a quick follow up on Ukraine first. Do you believe that there is enough done to try to have negotiations there or to bring the Ukrainians and Russians to the table? What's your position? And my question is on Syria and the cross border mechanism. I know that vote will be in January, but the question is whether you have already negotiated on that resolution, what are you hearing? If you could shed more light on that? Thank you.

PR: In response to the question that you raised on Ukraine, what I would like to say is that definitely there is an attempt and not everything is played out in the public domain as you can understand, parties are talking, people are talking, everybody wants to de-escalate the situation. And we very much hope that sooner or later this effort to de-escalate will succeed. As I've already mentioned, our country has been talking to both sides, is talking to both sides, and we very much hope, we have stated publicly that we hope that the situation will deescalate. As to the question on Syria, the resolution to the best of my knowledge, I think it extends till January 10th. But of course, discussions are ongoing, talks are ongoing, Council is continuing to engage on Syria, I can assure you and there would be some development very soon on this front.

Dawn Clancy (PassBlue): Thank you. It's nice to meet you. I'm Dawn Clancy with Pass Blue. It's kind of a follow up to the questions that have been asked about Ukraine and India's position. I just wanted to get your response to something that Ukraine President Zelensky said during the High Level Week, he was addressing specifically member states that take a neutral stance. I'm paraphrasing here, but he said those who speak of neutrality when human values and peace are under attack only pretend to be interested in each other's problems. They take care of each other formally. They sympathize only for protocol, they pretend but in reality they protect only their vested interests. This is what creates the conditions for war. I just have been curious to what your response to that would be.

PR: Thank you for the question, but it's not for me to comment on that statement. However, I will take this opportunity to once again reiterate our country's position. Our country has not been passive. Our country has stated very clearly that we have taken the side of peace and we favor diplomacy and dialogue and we favor de-escalation and early end to the conflict. At the same time, we have condemned the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of conflict no matter who commits this. And thirdly, we have stated very clearly that this conflict has had immense impact and immense suffering on countries of the Global South and there we’ve not been idle either, we have extended a helping hand despite constraints in our own country. And I've already given you those instances we've done so in Ukraine, we've done so in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Yemen, Sri Lanka, and we’re ready to do more. So, by any standard, this is not the stand of a country that is passive. This is the stand of a country that is creative, caring, contributory, that is willing to bring solutions to the global top table, and to do more.

Mr. Madhu Sudan, Counsellor: Thanks, everyone. Unfortunately, we will have to stop now.

Michelle Nichols from Reuters: It's a follow up question from the North Korea meeting on the ICBM launch, I believe that there was a Presidential Statement under discussion. Is that still being negotiated or is it done

PR: Well there were two meetings on DPRK last month if I'm not wrong, and it is a fact that we've not had a presidential statement yet. There are sometimes divergent views, we have to take on board all views. So that is, I suppose you could say, yet a work that has not happened.

Mr. Madhu Sudan, Counsellor: Thank you everyone, thank you for coming, and look forward to your cooperation.

PR: Thank you.