By Simran Sodhi
New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up a highly successful visit to the United States with an address at the Summit of the Future at the United Nations in New York where he pitched for reforms in the UN. On the sidelines the PM met the President of Ukraine as India is poised to play the peacemaker in a region where both parties share a warm relationship with India.
PM calls for reforms in the UN structure
The PM addressed the Summit of the Future (SoTF) which took place on September 22-23, prior to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The theme of the Summit was ‘Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow’.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has called the Summit a “once-in-a-generation UN Summit”. It is being projected as an important milestone in the history of the UN as it enters the 80th year of its establishment in 2025.
Speaking at the Summit, PM Modi said, “On behalf of India, the world’s largest democracy, and 1.4 billion Indians, greetings to all of you. In the largest election in human history, held recently in June, the people of India have given me the opportunity to serve them for the third consecutive term, and today, I bring the voice of this 1/6 of humanity to you.”
“When we are discussing the global future, we must accord the highest priority to a human-centric approach,” he said.
“While prioritising sustainable development, we must also ensure human welfare, food and health security. By lifting 250 million people out of poverty in India, we have demonstrated that sustainable development can be successful,” he said. “We are ready to share this experience of our success with the entire Global South,” PM Modi said.
“Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield, and for global peace and development, reforms in global institutions are essential,” he said, alluding to India’s aspirations to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
“Reform is the key to relevance,” he said while pointing out that India included the African Union in the G20 under India’s presidency last year. “Permanent membership of the G20 to the African Union at the New Delhi summit was an important step in this direction,” he said.
“While, on the one hand, terrorism continues to be a serious threat to global peace and security, on the other hand, areas such as cyber, maritime and space are emerging as new theatres of conflict. On all these issues, I will stress that global action must match global ambition,” he said.
“There is a need for balanced regulation at a global level, for the safe and responsible use of technology, we need global digital governance which ensures that national sovereignty and integrity are upheld. Digital public infrastructure should be a bridge, not a barrier, for global good,” he said.
“India is ready to share its digital public infrastructure with the entire world,” he said.
For India, he said, “One Earth, One family, One future, is a commitment.” “This commitment is also reflected in our initiatives such as One Earth, One Health and One Sun, One World, One Grid. India will continue to work in thought, words and deeds to protect the rights of all humanity and for global prosperity,” he said.
The PM’s call for reforms in the UN has been a long-standing demand of India since the present structure of the UN is no longer representative of the world order. India has also been, rightfully, demanding a seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Meeting with President of Ukraine
In an important meeting on the sidelines of the UN in New York, PM Modi met his Ukrainian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two leaders reaffirmed their stance for an early resolution of the war with PM Modi expressing his to assist in the efforts.
This was the third meeting between the two leaders in little over three months, with Zelensky stating that the two nations were developing their relations and “working together to strengthen cooperations across various fields. PM Modi took to his social media handles and posted about the meeting.
“Met President @ZelenskyyUa in New York. We are committed to implementing the outcomes of my visit to Ukraine last month to strengthen bilateral relations. Reiterated India’s support for early resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and restoration of peace and stability,” wrote PM Modi on X (formerly Twitter).
This is a significant meeting because it indicates India’s strong position where today it is able to talk to both the parties, ie, Russia and Ukraine. India is also poised to play a peace maker since it enjoys the confidence of both involved parties.
