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Our opportunity to project India’s global leadership during G20 Presidency seems to be slipping away. India needs to revisit its strategy and pursue more tangible goals like bidding for permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council in 2023.
Russia- Ukraine conflict overshadows the global agenda
G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi ended without a joint communique, much like the G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting a week before. As PM Modi warned, multi literalism is under threat. The divisions are clear and deep. Ukraine war has over shadowed the entire agenda. Nothing else seems to matter.
Positions have hardened since G20 meeting in Bali; US and its allies on one side and Russia & China on the other. Rest of the world comprising majority of the global population including India, much of Asia, Africa and Latin America are caught in this largely European conflict and face collateral damages from the rising energy and food prices and worsening external debt.
Over in New York, the most powerful global security body, United Nations Security Council faces total impasse and is utterly helpless and hapless. Today, United Nations Security Council does not reflect the reality of the world. For that reason, it has been unable to handle the various global crises the world faces.
Reforms are overdue; India must be a permanent member.
United Nations Security Council– in its current form, has outlived its utility. It must be strengthened and reformed else it will cease to be relevant. That would leave a huge vacuum at a time when we need more global governance, not less, to face shared challenges to human race like the climate change.
India can and must play a more active and independent role. India has maintained strategic neutrality and is in a unique position to promote peace and understanding. To accord the status India deserves, the United Nations General Assembly and the five permanent members should invite India to join as a permanent seat with full veto rights.
India is the most populous country in the World and by 2030, 1 out of 5 human beings will be an Indian. India is the largest democracy in the World. In 2023, India is the fifth largest economy and well on track to be third largest economy.
India has shown exceptional resilience during the Covid pandemic and has come out stronger. India not only produced enough vaccines for its own 1.4Billion population but also supplied billions of doses to 98 countries in the developing world and the Global South at a time no other country helped them.
India is a founder member of UN SC and has contributed more personnel to international UN peace keeping missions than any other country.
India has been a peaceful country and a responsible global citizen. From its legacy as the founder of the Non-Aligned Movement, India is a natural representative of the interests of the developing nations, especially in the Global South. These countries are facing the challenges of indebtedness and rising energy and food prices.
Who else deserves a seat on the top decision-making table if not India? No one. These reforms must be achieved in 2023 during India’s presidency of G20. Several proposals have been under discussions for many years including expansion of Permanent members to 9 by adding India, Japan, Germany and Brazil. Enough discussions; time to act is now.
What can India do to promote UN reforms in 2023
Five permanent members are deeply divided into 2 blocks, thus, paralyzing its decision making. India has maintained good working relations with both the blocks and adopted issues- based approach to determine its position. India must impress upon the global community especially five permanent members that India is ready to assume greater role, pay higher contributions to UN budget and accept permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
We – the people of India – also have a responsibility and fully support our government and demand that India be offered permanent seat on UN SC in 2023.
Our demand is just and fair. I urge you to sign our petition on change.org and join thousands in India and abroad who have signed and join this movement to nudge and urge the global community to act. NOW.
Please sign the petition and share the link with your friends and associates.
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Jai Hind,
Arvind Singh.
Citizen, Republic of India.
About Arvind Singh
Arvind Singh is a retired international banker and a proud Indian. Having worked and lived overseas for many years, Arvind has returned to India and is committed to the task of Nation Building.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvind-singh-b447722/
Twitter: @for_veto
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