UNSC Open Debate on 

‘Peace and security through preventive diplomacy: 

A common objective to all UN principal organs’

[Tuesday, 16 November 2021; 1000 hrs EDT/ 2030 hrs IST]

INDIA STATEMENT 

By

Ambassador R. Ravindra

Deputy Permanent Representative

Mr. President,

Allow me, at the outset, to express our appreciation to your delegation for organizing today’s Open Debate, on the respective roles and functions of UN principal organs in the context of preventive diplomacy.  I would also like to thank the Secretary General, President of the General Assembly, President of ECOSOC and President of ICJ for their briefings. 

2.   The principal organs of the United Nations have specific roles and functions and should act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations as defined in the Charter.  

3. There have been recent attempts to assume the work in this Council, which are better done in specialized agencies and organs created for the purpose. We do not favor this trend both as a matter of propriety and pragmatism. From the functional point of view as well, burdening the Council with increasing number of issues distracts us from relevant issues of international peace and security and is, therefore, best avoided. 

4. The objective of the United Nations as reflected in Chapter I of the Charter will be better served, when each of its Principal Organs work in harmony focusing on their mandates. The Charter should remain our guiding light, and we need to make concerted efforts towards reform and strengthening of the UN organs to address the global challenges, particularly issues associated with peace and security. 

5. In this regard, let me offer following FIVE observations.

i. While the UN was founded on the basis of sovereign equality of nations, nowhere else was this principle more belied than its principal organ - the Security Council. More than seven and a half decades since its inception, the structural inequality persists. While the world is changing, the institutional architecture primarily responsible for international peace and security remains frozen. A composition that is rooted in 1945 detracts from its abilities to fully harness the capabilities of UN Member-States as of today. We need to show our collective commitment to reformed multilateralism. As our Prime Minister said in his address to the 75th UNGA last year, reform in the responses, in the processes, and in the character of the United Nations is the need of the hour.

ii. Peaceful settlement of disputes is key for maintenance of international peace and security and  promotion of the rule of law. Adequate attention needs to be paid to the provisions of Chapter VI rather than Chapter VII becoming the ready recourse. 

iii. The issues related to economic and social domain fall under the realm of sovereignty of Member States, who owe the responsibility of protection and welfare of their population. India believes that advancement of the rule of law at the national level is an essential tool for the protection of democracy, economic growth, sustainable development, ensuring gender justice, eradication of poverty and hunger and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We believe that the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council are the right fora where member states can discuss and work collaboratively on these issues. 

iv. Increasing acts of terrorism and expansion of terrorist groups, particularly in Asia and Africa, remain a serious challenge to maintenance of international peace and security. All organs of the UN, including the Security Council need to have zero tolerance approach towards terrorism and act against non-State actors and their sponsors. Any narrative which justifies actions of terrorism in any manner would embolden terrorists and those sponsoring them.

v. The complex and inter-linked nature of various aspects of building and sustaining peace are now better understood than before. The perspective is increasingly expanding across the spectrum, from prevention to resolution, and reconciliation to recovery, and reconstruction and prevention of a relapse of conflict. There is a clear recognition of the importance of a comprehensive sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, and political processes in preventing conflict as well as undertaking effective peacebuilding efforts. What is lacking is the political commitment for commensurate action and substantive support to efforts of the Peace Building Commission. We need to address this shortcoming purposefully and in the right spirit. 

Mr. President,

6. As our leaders said in the UN 75 Declaration, there is no other global organization with the legitimacy, convening power and normative impact as the United Nations.  We have a moral obligation to strengthen its principal organs for effective functioning of the UN, corresponding to contemporary global realities and challenges. Factoring in the above five observations in the work of the relevant organs of the UN will help us fulfil the objectives for which our forefathers set up the United Nations.

I thank you. 

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