During UNSC tenure, there were instances when India had to stand alone: UN envoy Ruchira Kamboj

Ruchira Kamboj said, “In instances ‘where we had genuine differences’ with some Council members, such as on the issue of the role of the Security Council in dealing with climate change, India’s opposition was based on principles.”

During the 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, there were instances when India “had to stand alone” but it did not let go of the principles it believed in, New Delhi’s envoy here has said.

India assumed the monthly rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on December 1, the second time in its two-year tenure as an elected member of the Council in 2021-22. India had earlier assumed UNSC presidency in August 2021.

“During the last two years, we spoke out in support of peace, security and prosperity. We did not hesitate in raising our voice against the common enemies of humanity, such as terrorism,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN and President of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of December Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said on December 22.

In a wrap-up briefing for non-members of the Security Council on its work for the month of December before the holiday week, Ms. Kamboj highlighted the “packed” agenda of the Council for the month under India’s presidency as well as signature events on reformed multilateralism and counter-terrorism presided over by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last week.

This included the unveiling of the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the UN and launching of the Group of Friends to promote accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.

Ms. Kamboj said that during India’s UNSC tenure, “there were instances when we had to stand alone. But the alternative in those instances was to let go of the principles we genuinely believe in.” She said in instances “where we had genuine differences” with some Council members, such as on the issue of the role of the Security Council in dealing with climate change, India’s “opposition was based on principles.” Ms. Kamboj said India is acutely aware of the fact that reform of the Security Council is the need of the hour.

“This conviction has only been strengthened after our tenure. As we exit the Council this tenure, we remain convinced that the more there is resistance to change, the more the danger that the decisions of this body stand the risk of losing relevance and credibility,” she said.