UNSC Open Debate

Maintenance of International Peace and Security: 

Exclusion, Inequality and Conflict

[Tuesday, 9 November, 2021; 1000 hrs EDT/ 2030 hrs IST] 

INDIA Statement 

by 

MoS(RRS)

Thank you, Mr. President. 

Let me begin by congratulating Mexico for assuming the presidency of the United Nations Security Council during the month. I would also like to convey best wishes and greetings of my Prime Minister to the President of Mexico His Excellency Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. India and Mexico have a special relationship, and it is indeed an honor for me to represent my Prime Minister in today’s meeting. 

2. I would like to thank His Excellency Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the civil society briefer who is a noted indigenous affairs expert, Ms. Lourdes Tiban Guala, for their insights on the topic of today’s open debate. 

3. During the past few decades, while the inter-state conflicts have decreased, intra-state conflicts have attracted much higher level of attention from this Council. These conflicts have, however, several long-standing political, economic and social causes which require attention not only of this Council but also of other organs of the United Nations which have specialized roles for peace-building and socio-economic development. There is clearly much to be done to help the countries in intra-state conflicts to achieve sustainable peace.

4. In this context, let me offer a few observations: 

i. First, the international efforts in the maintenance of peace and security need to be inclusive. The process of implementing a peace agreement must run along with the provision of humanitarian and emergency assistance, resumption of economic activity, and the creation of political and administrative institutions that improve governance and include all stakeholders, particularly women and disadvantaged sections. We also need to avoid politicizing humanitarian and developmental assistance in conflict situations. The humanitarian action must be primarily guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. 

ii. Second, the international community needs to walk the talk by ensuring a predictable and enhanced flow of resources to countries in the post-conflict phase. The developmental assistance in line with the national priorities  should go a long way towards sustainable peace.

iii. Third, it is important to actively support the post-conflict reconstruction agenda, particularly in Africa. In this regard, the UN Peacebuilding Commission’s efforts should be strengthened. These efforts should include prioritizing the needs of the host state and coordinate the role of international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society organizations. 

iv. Fourth, some regional and sub-regional organizations have become more capable of addressing the conflict situations and member states have reposed faith increasingly in their capacity. This has brought positive synergy to the actions of the United Nations and Security Council. The Security Council has the responsibility to support this trend and encourage and enable those regional and sub-regional organizations. We believe that the existing framework of cooperation such as the Joint UN-AU Framework for an enhanced partnership in Peace and Security needs to be implemented more proactively. In this regard, initiatives such as AMISOM, G-5 Sahel Joint Force and Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) need more robust support from the Security Council and the international community.

v. Fifth, the spread of terrorism, particularly in the countries facing conflicts, can reverse the efforts of the international community. It is therefore imperative that terrorism in any form or manifestation is condemned and those supporting it any manner are held accountable.

Mr. President,

5. Exclusion, inequality, and conflict are relevant to the functioning of this Council as well. The persisting exclusion and inequality in the membership of the Security Council needs to be addressed. The international structure for maintaining peace and security and peacebuilding needs to be reformed. Global power and the capacities to address problems are much more dispersed today, than they were seventy-six years ago. How long rightful voices of the developing world including Africa can be denied? We are therefore convinced that reformed multilateralism, with the reform of the UN Security Council at its core is crucial for dealing with the complex challenges of today's’ world.

Mr. President, 

6. India has always strived to foster global solidarity across the world with our development partnership efforts fully respecting national priorities and ensuring that our assistance remains demand-driven, contributes to employment generation and capacity building and does not create indebtedness. This is particularly true in countries in post-conflict phase. Whether it is with our neighbours under our “Neighbourhood First” policy or with African partners or with other developing countries, India has remained and will continue to be a source of strong support to help them build back better and stronger. 

I thank you, Mr. President.

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