India assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August on Sunday pledging to organise key events in maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism.
India will decide the UN body’s agenda for the month and coordinate important meetings. India took over the presidency from France.
“It is a singular honour for us to be presiding over the Security Council the same month when we are celebrating our 75th Independence Day,” T S Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, said in a video message.
TS Tirumurti thanked France Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, for steering the UN Security Council for the month of July.
“India has just assumed the presidency of The UN Security Council on 1st August. India and France enjoy historical and close relations. I thank France for all the support which they’ve given us during our stint in the Security Council,” he added.
“India will always be a voice of moderation, an advocate of dialogue and a proponent of international law,” India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar tweeted, marking the occasion.
Pakistan on Saturday expressed its hope that New Delhi would follow international rules and norms. “We hope that India will abide by the relevant rules and norms governing the conduct of the Security Council Presidency,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said, according to Indian Express.
“Delighted that India is today taking over #UNSC presidency from France. We are committed to working with India on strategic issues as maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism, and upholding a rules-based, multilateral system to face today’s many ongoing crises,” Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain tweeted.
