New Delhi (NVI): For how long will India be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations?
This blunt question was posed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the world community as he addressed the UN General Assembly today, against the backdrop of India’s longstanding bid to be a permanent member of the global organization.
He said the faith and respect that the UN enjoys among the 1.3 billion people in India is unparalleled.
“India is that country, which in the course of maintaining peace, has lost the maximum number of its brave soldiers. Today every Indian, while seeing the contribution of India in UN, aspires for India’s expanded role in the United Nations,” Modi added.
“When we were strong, we were never a threat to the world. When we were weak, we never become a burden on the world,” he said, adding, “How long would a country have to wait particularly when the transformational changes happening in that country affect a large part of the world?”
The Prime Minister said the United Nations need to change its reactions, arrangements and appearance to stay relevant. “Today we are in a different era all together… There is a big question in front of the whole world community that whether the institution that was formed under the circumstances of that time is still relevant today,” PM Modi said during his address.
“If we evaluate the achievements of the United Nations in the last 75 years, many achievements are seen. There are also many examples, which raise the need for serious introspection in front of the United Nations,” Modi said.
“Reform in the responses, processes and in the very character of the UN is the need of the hour,” he added.
“Starting from January next year, India will also fulfil its responsibility as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. India will always speak in support of peace, security and prosperity,” he said.
“India will not hesitate in raising its voice against the enemies of humanity, human race and human values these include terrorism, smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money-laundering,” the PM added.
