Addressing the United Nations’ 75th General Assembly (UNGA) virtually amid Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, questioned the UN’s hesitancy in making India a permanent member. Lashing out at the UN, he said that India’s 1.3 billion people awaited for changes to happen in the real world, with unparalleled trust in the UN. PM Modi also spoke about India’s COVID fight, the Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme, his government’s various schemes and the need for reforming the UN as an institution.
PM Modi: ‘How long should India wait?’
“The trust India has in the UN is unparalleled. But Indians are waiting for reforms in the UN. They are concerned if the reform process will reach the logical end? How long will India be kept away from decision-making in the UN? How long will the country have to wait for the changes happening in the real world? India aspires to be in an expanded role in the UN,” he said.
He added, “When we were strong, we did not trouble the world. When we were weak, we did not become a burden on the world. The philosophies of UN and India are quite similar”.
India elected as a non-permanent UNSC member
On June 17, India was elected as a non-permanent member to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the eighth-time after voting concluded at the UN headquarters in New York City. India was the only country from the Asia-Pacific Group and won the election unopposed. India’s UNSC term will begin in January 2021.
UNGA’s virtual assembly
This year, for the first time in the UN’s 75-year history, Heads of State and Government will not be travelling to New York for the General Assembly session due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The General Debate, that runs from September 22 to 29, will see 119 Heads of State and 54 Heads of Government speak via pre-recorded video statements for the various summits and sessions that will be played in the iconic General Assembly hall. On Friday, Pakistan PM Imran Khan addressed the UNGA, fearmongering over Kashmir.
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