Jaishankar discusses India's August UNSC presidency with UN SG; extends support for his re-election

New Delhi: India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, the first-ever physical meeting between the two after India took the non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council earlier this year. During the talks, that happened at United Nations Headquarters, the key focus was India's presidency of the council in the month of August during which India will be leading a number of events on maritime security, technology, and peacekeeping. 

A tweet by the minister said that he, "Highlighted India's constructive role in UNSC and conveyed priorities of our Presidency in August." During the same meet, UN SG lauded Indian UN Peacekeepers' role in Congo over the weekend in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption. 

Indian Army personnel are part of the MONUSCO or United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and played a key role in safeguarding civilians and UN assets. India is also working with the UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations for the development of a mobile tech platform – UNITE AWARE will be launched during India's August presidency. It will increase situational awareness and provide terrain-related information to peacekeepers, with India contributing $1.64 million towards the project.

During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed to António Guterres that India will back him for his re-election for a second term as the UN Secretary-General. Elections will take place later this year to choose the tenth Secretary-General of the United Nations whose tenure will begin from January 1 next year.

The meeting expectedly saw a focus on the COVID-19 crisis, with EAM appreciating the efforts of the Secretary-General to facilitate ‘Vaccines for All" and both sides discussing the need to ramp up global vaccine production through expanded supply chains. EAM's tweet statement said, "Discussed the Covid challenge, underlining the importance of finding urgent & effective global vaccine solutions".

There was a mention of India-South Africa's proposal of COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver, which has seen increased global support ever since US President Biden administration extended support for it.

Other key issues were climate chain and two key regional issues, one on Afghanistan and another on Myanmar that were part of the conversation. On climate change, EAM apprised the Secretary-General of India’s efforts to meet its Paris commitments, pointing out to its projects like the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

On Afghanistan, his statement said,"Shared our concerns about ensuring that the gains of the last two decades in Afghanistan are adequately protected."