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Seeking a greater role at the UN

Seeking a greater role at the UN
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India is one among the original members of the United Nations and signed the Declaration of the United Nations in 1944

Syed Mustafa Ahmad

“India doesn’t believe that the United Nations should become the instrument of a few at the cost of many. India believes that we must move forward together or sink into the swamp of stagnation. We have to make this assembly into a platform of understanding, assistance and true justice. We have to understand the pain of other nations and work with the developed nations to ease and eliminate the pain.” These words were said by Late Sushma Swaraj at the UN General Assembly in September, 2018. In the light of these words, we will try to know about the India and UN.

What is special about India’s membership in the United Nations?

In principle, only sovereign states can become UN members. But, India gained UN membership before its Independence. India is one among the original members of the United Nations and signed the Declaration of the United Nations in 1944 at Washington DC.

India wasn’t only member to gain membership before independence. Belarus, the Philippines and Ukraine too got membership similarly. Though India, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia were all British colonies, they were given independent seats in the United Nations General Assembly. It was Sir Arcot Ramaswamy Mudaliar on behalf of India during the San Francisco Conference on 26 June, 1945.

What do we know about Indian representation in the UN?

When India got independence in 1947, it regarded the already granted UN membership as an assurance of peace and stability. In return, our country has always shown strong interest in the ideals of the UN and had actively participated in the UN’s specialized programmes and agencies.

India has been a member of the UN Security Council. India has served seven terms in the Security Council, the most recent being from 2011-12. India was enthusiastic about working against colonialism and the practice of apartheid. In fact, India was amongst outspoken critics of apartheid and racial discrimination in South Africa.

India has significantly contributed to the UN’s peacekeeping mission. Indian troops were sent for the United Nations peacekeeping efforts in Korea, Egypt and Congo. In recent years, Indian troops were involved in the missions in Somalia, Angola, Haiti, Liberia, Lebanon and Rwanda.

Why is India trying for permanent membership in the UN Security Council?

India is a part of G4. G4 is a group of four nations who constantly back each other to get permanent membership in the UN Security Council. Brazil, Japan and Germany are the other three G4 nations. But why is India so keen on getting membership in the UN Security Council? Let me give brief detail.

India has the second largest population in the world. It also is the world’s largest liberal democracy. India comes third in terms of purchasing power and is the fifth largest economy in the world. India comes on forefront in supplying troops for the peacekeeping missions of the UN. Also, the Security Council does not have any permanent member from South Asia at present.

What is the focus of the work of the UN in India?

The UN works in India in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development (UNSDF). It is a framework that takes into account both national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN strives to improve the lives of the most marginalized, poor and vulnerable communities of the country, especially women and girls. As the government of India suggests,” Development for All” is the focus of the UN. The work of the United Nations in India pertains to the following:

• Poverty and urbanization

• Health, water and sanitation

• Nutrition and food security

• Climate change, clean energy and disaster resilience

• Skilling, entrepreneurship, job creation and

• Gender equality and youth development

How many UNESCO world Heritage Sites are there in India?

UNESCO has marked the important places with cultural and natural heritage as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 38 world Heritage Sites are located in India. The Taj Mahal, the Sun Temple at Konark, Khajuraho Monuments, Hampi and Ajanta caves are some of the most famous among them. India comes sixth in the list of countries with the maximum number of World Heritage Sites. Out of the 38, 30 are Cultural Sites. India has six natural sites too.

India has also got one mixed- criteria site which has both natural and cultural elements- the Khangchendzonga National Park. This park is home to many epidemic plants and animals. It also contains an important Buddhist monastery.

Which institution in India works with the UNESCO to achieve its educational goals?

UNESCO has always strived to refine and redefine education. The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Development (MGIEP) was set up for the same purpose.

MGIEP is an educational institute that was established in 2012 in Delhi. The institute works to implement education for building up a peaceful and sustainable society. Various research programmes are carried out by the institute. For instance, it conducted a study to find out the effect of peace education. It also uses the help of the internet to conduct online campaigns.

The online MGIEP is done in collaboration with the United Nations University in Japan. Dr Ansntha Kumar Duraiappah, an experienced environmental development economist is the director of the institute.

How many UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors are from India?

We all remember some advertisements because celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar or Alia Bhatt featured in them. When a notable person advertises a product, we are more likely to remember it. The UN too makes use of this idea.The UN takes help of many notable people to advocate a specific course and they are known as Goodwill Ambassadors.

UNICEF, the UN wing that works for the upliftment of children around the world has a long list of Goodwill Ambassadors. These ambassadors use their fame to draw the attention of people towards important issues. So far, there have been five UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors from India- Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Sharmila Tagire, Shahrukh Khan and Hima Das.

I end my write up with the opening lines of the UN Charter. “ We the people of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small and to unite our strength to maintain peace and security and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of common peoples, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations”.


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