UNSC briefing: OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), Chairperson-in-Office

Thank you, Mr. President.

At the outset, let me begin by welcoming H. E. Professor Zbigniew Rau, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland. I also thank him for his briefing on the activities of the OSCE and its priorities in his capacity as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. I also thank USG, Rosemary Dicarlo for her briefing.

2. The role of regional and sub-regional organizations in maintenance of international peace and security, as well as their cooperation with the United Nations is provided in Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. We support active engagement between the UN and OSCE based on the Framework for Cooperation and Coordination signed in 1993.

3. Regional organizations have a critical role to play in addressing challenges to security environment, by promoting dialogue between the parties and dissuading external influence. We are of the view that bilateral and regional agreements negotiated between the parties provide a good basis for lasting and peaceful resolution of disputes.

4. The OSCE has attributes that make it the forum of choice in many situations. Of first and foremost importance, the OSCE is an inclusive Euro-Atlantic forum for consultation and joint action. OSCE’s Structured Dialogue (SD) mechanism anchored in the guiding principles of transparency, collective ownership, inclusiveness and respect for diverging views is aimed at re-building trust in multilateralism amid renewed geopolitical rivalry in the OSCE area.

5. The challenges confronting the OSCE community come from different sources. They include not only challenges to sovereignty, but threats to peace from ethnic tensions and violent separatism within States. The OSCE, as the world’s largest security organization, is also addressing some of the toughest transnational threats such as proliferation of weapons, terrorism, cyber security, migration, environmental damage and drug trafficking.

6. While noting the ongoing global counter terrorism efforts and contributions of OSCE, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of this issue. OSCE was among the first regional organizations to strongly condemn the terrorist attack on Indian Parliament in 2001. OSCE needs to take into account such cross-border terrorist acts and other new and emerging threats. In this context, the eight-point action plan on counter-terrorism proposed by India’s External Affairs Minister on 11 January 2021 while addressing the Council, also merits serious consideration of the OSCE.

7. OSCE has been playing an important role in facilitating the implementation of the package of measures across both sides of the contact line in eastern Ukraine. However, recent developments in Ukraine and consequent deterioration of security situation have halted the functioning of the Special Monitoring Mission.

8. India has been consistent in calling for an immediate end to all hostilities in Ukraine. Our Prime Minister has repeatedly called for an urgent ceasefire and that there is no other path left but of dialogue and diplomacy.

9. The human toll continues to mount and the humanitarian situation has become dire. India undertook intensive and immediate steps to evacuate its nationals. Till date, about 22500 Indians have returned home safely. We are grateful to all our partners for their support in our evacuation efforts.

10. We call for direct contacts and negotiations with a view to cease hostilities. India has been in touch with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine in this regard and will continue to remain engaged. We continue to underline the need to respect the UN Charter, international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

11. We also support OSCE Minsk Group’s continued efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. India believes that any lasting resolution of the conflict can only be achieved peacefully through diplomatic negotiations and we call on Parties to implement the agreement reached. We note with concern that steps that have been committed, have yet to materialize.

12. To conclude, Mr. President, we recognize the significant contribution of OSCE to the promotion of a rules-based international order and strengthening multilateralism. We join all other members of the Council to extend our good wishes to Poland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE. I also take this opportunity to sincerely thank Foreign Minister of Poland for the generosity and help extended to our citizens, in their safe return from conflict zones in Ukraine.

I thank you Mr. President.

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