UNGA: India lauded for G20 presidency, gets backing for permamnent UNSC seat

World leaders hailed India as a voice of the Global South and a rising power that deserves a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at the sidelines of the UNGA annual conference in New York. India was also lauded for successfully hosting grand G20 meeting in New Delhi earlier this month.

Dominica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vince Henderson, made a strong case for India to be made a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying it has emerged as a “very important global player” and derserves to be considered for full membership of the UN body.

Addressing the ‘India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development’ event in New York City on Saturday, the Dominican Foreign minister said, “I know that India is a country that’s historically very polite, and you will not say or ask for certain things. But I will say today that we believe that India is emerging as a very important global player and we believe that India deserves to have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.”

He said India deserves to be a permanent member of the UNSC not only as the most populous country on earth but also as one that has shown great responsibility in the exercise of its own powers.

“We believe that this is a matter that should be supported. We hope that India in turn, will continue to be a responsible member of the United Nations, but more so to be a good friend to small island developing states,” Henderson said.

United Nations General Assembly President Dennis Francis on Saturday (local time) said that India’s recent G20 Presidency marked a historic milestone due to inclusion of African Union as a permanent member.

While addressing the India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development event in New York, Francis said, “India’s recent G20 presidency marked a historic milestone. Being the first to usher the African Union into the group as a permanent member. A strong symbol of solidarity and cooperation across the Global South.”

Francis said that India plays an “unparalleled role” in global mission for better and more sustainable world. He called India’s legacy of contribution a “guiding light” and encompassing endeavours like championing democracy, promoting women-led development.

“India, home to one-sixth of humanity, plays an unparalleled role in ourglobal mission for a better, more sustainable world. India’s legacy of contributions serves asa guiding light, encompassing endeavors such as championing democracy, promoting women-led development, and being among the pioneers in adopting the UN’s global goals. Indeed, it is a matter of great honor for me to follow in the footsteps of Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, the first ever female President of the General Assembly, whom India proudly entrusted to the United Nations,” Dennis Francis said.

Administrator of UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Achim Steiner also lauded India’s G20 presidency and underscored India’s “prominent role” in significant initiatives for South-South cooperation.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Steiner said, “So, at the end of very intense UNGA week with over 100 heads of state and hundreds of ministers and civil society representatives discussing the future of development, climate change, but also geopolitics, I think it became clear that India has had a very prominent role, particularly this year G20 presidency, but also many of the significant initiatives for South-South cooperation that we discussed here.”

Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji on Saturday (local time) lauded India’s G20 Presidency calling it “stunning and exemplary.” He called India a “very strong partner” for Bhutan.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Tandi Dorji said, “India has always been a very strong partner for Bhutan and will continue to wish India the best. And we hope that India will continue to be the voice of the Global South.”

“Absolutely stunning, as I mentioned, India’s presidency of the G20 was very, very exemplary. In that, it represented the entire Global South. And for the entire year, India has always included the participation of all the countries from the Global South. And we are very, very proud to be a partner of India,” he added.

Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa on Saturday (local time) highlighted how India’s development assistance has facilitated Samoa’s development journey.

She spoke on how the India UN Development Partnership Fund has resulted in the launch of transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world.

While addressing the India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development event in New York, Samoa PM said, “I am happy to provide a brief overview of how India’s development assistance has facilitated Samoa’s development journey. Under the Samoa Knowledge Society Initiative, the India UN Development Partnership Fund supports southern-owned and led demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing states.”