India at the UNGA: A Call for UN Reform and a Reassertion of the Global South's Voice
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (United Nations and its agencies - UNGA, UNSC; India's foreign policy principles; The Global South); Sustainable Development (Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): Important International institutions, agencies and fora - their structure, mandate; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. The demand for UNSC reform and India's role in the UN are perennial Mains topics.
Key Highlights from the News
S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, addressed the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), strongly arguing that the UN is "gridlocked" and urgently requires reforms.
India demanded an increase in the number of permanent and non-permanent members in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
He informed the world that India is ready to undertake greater responsibilities in a reformed UN.
Without naming Pakistan, he criticized India's neighboring country for becoming the epicentre of terrorism.
He stated that India's foreign policy is guided by three principles: Atmanirbharata (self-reliance), atma raksha (self-defence), and atma vishwas (self-confidence).
He added that India will always be the voice of the Global South and will maintain its freedom of choice, i.e., strategic autonomy.
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