UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed India’s bid for a permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for winds of “change.” India earned the UK’s support days after US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed similar views.
Currently, the UNSC consists of five permanent members and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
UN General Assembly Debate
UK PM Starmer called for an increase in the seats for elected members. “We advocate for permanent representation for Africa on the Council, alongside Brazil, India, Japan, and Germany as permanent members, as well as an increase in seats for elected members,” said the UK Prime Minister.
‘More effective, more representative’
Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron also voiced strong support for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC. While citing a need for the UN to be more “effective,” Macron said this could be possible by making the body more representative.
‘Outdated’ UNSC model
India has argued for decades that it deserves to be a member of the UNSC. At the ‘Summit of the Future’ on September 22, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also warned of the “outdated” model of the UNSC. He said the body would lose all credibility unless its working methods were reformed.
Palace on Wheels train season begins! Check the booking process, ticket prices, and other details
One of the Indian Railways‘ flagship tourism services is en route to iconic Rajasthani cities, including Jaipur, famous as the Pink City, Jaisalmer, the Golden City, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. The 8-day-long train journey starts from Delhi and covers tourist destinations of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, before coming back to Delhi. For those who are looking to book a ticket for them and their loved ones of ‘Palace on Wheels’ here are ticket prices and other booking details.
India abstains during vote on UN resolution against Israel. Here’s why: Watch
India again abstained in the UN General Assembly on a resolution “demanding that Israel brings to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory without delay and within the next 12 months”. During a vote on Wednesday, India was among 43 nations which abstained from voting in favour or against the resolution.
Why did India abstain in UN Assembly vote on Israel
India’s decision to abstain seems to align with its cautious stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. On Wednesday, India underlined that it is a strong advocate of “dialogue and diplomacy” and efforts should be made towards “building bridges”, “not furthering divides”.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, who delivered India’s explanation of vote on the UN resolution on Wednesday, said, “India has abstained from today’s vote. We have been strong advocates of dialogue and diplomacy. We believe that there is no other way to resolve conflicts.”
“There are no winners in conflict,” Harish said as he reiterated that only a two-state solution achieved through direct and meaningful negotiations between both sides “will lead to enduring peace”.
“Our position on this conflict has been clear and consistent…we unequivocally condemn the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. We condemn the loss of civilian lives…we call for an immediate ceasefire…and release of hostages,” he said.