In a historic 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), world leaders emerged to address their perspective on the current global state. The annual meeting of UNGA in New York was shifted online due to pandemic.
Following are the significant points of discusses made by the nations:
India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed Indian pride in being one of the founding nations of the UN and took a staunch stance for India as a permanent Security Council member. He asked, “how long will India be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations?”
He indicated the lack of effective response from the institution concerning the outbreak of coronavirus. PM Modi also pointed out the need for structural change in the United Nations. The support and belief of 130 crore Indians in the United Nations are unparallel. India is one of the fastest-growing economies and has influences on various global aspect needs to have the power of decision making at multiple platforms.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros, thanked PM Modi for his commitment to solidarity to fight against the global pandemic.
Thank you for your commitment to solidarity, 🇮🇳 Prime Minister @narendramodi. Only together, by mobilizing our forces and resources jointly for the common good, can we end the #COVID19 pandemic. #UNGA @PMOIndia @CDMissionIndia @IndiaUNNewYorkhttps://t.co/UgHjNgmKlM
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) September 26, 2020
America: The US President Donald Trump bluntly accused and held China accountable for the current widespread of COVID-19. He called out that the WHO, an organ of the UN, is virtually controlled by China. He also pointed out his administrative success in establishing peace in the middle east of the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Bahrain. He justified his “America first” policy and said, “only when you take care of your own citizens will you find a true basis for co-operation.”
China: The tension between US-China is already high, and Donald Trump’s remark didn’t make it any better. Chinese President Xi Jinping said “China is the largest developing country in the world, a country that is committed to peaceful, open, co-operative and common development. We will never seek hegemony, expansion, or sphere of influence. We have no intention to fight either a Cold War or a hot war with any country.”
There is an irony in both leader’s speeches wherein Trump’s continuous blame-game won’t resolve the American pandemic situation, and similarly, the Chinese commitment to peace becomes an expansion of military base on the ground in the Himalayan mountain, South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong.
Pakistan: PM Imran Khan took a significant time in his speech by pointing fingers at India. He said, “there would be no peace in South Asia unless the issue of Jammu and Kashmir resolves.” He also pointed out India, being a state of Islamophobia filled with RSS ideologies in the name of nationalism.
As a response, we see, Permanent Representative of India in the United Nations, TS Tirumurti walking out of the UN General Assembly Hall when Imran Khan began his speech which Tirumurti later called it as a “new diplomatic low of Pakistan.”
Later, India exercising its right to reply, Indian delegate, Vidisha Maitra gave a befitting reply “Unfortunately, what we heard today from PM Imran Khan of Pakistan was a callous portrayal of the world in binary terms. His threat of unleashing nuclear devastation qualifies as brinksmanship, not statesmanship.”
The delegate also pointed out the systematic minority ethnic cleansing in Pakistan, profound terrorism, and terrorism-invested leaders. She also highlighted Pakistan’s history of gruesome genocide perpetrated against its own people in 1971 and the role played by Lt. Gen A A K Niazi.
Turkey: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took his time to call out the European Crisis of Athen-Ankara of the marine standoff in the East Mediterranean Sea over drilling rights. He suggested dialogue and co-operation based on international law and rejected any harassment of the west or European Union’s nations. The president has brought “Kashmir” on the platform by calling it “a burning issue in South Asia”.
India, in a response, called this statement unacceptable as the operation of Kashmir lies within the sovereign territory of India.
Greece: With Athens- Ankara Issue, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said: “Let’s give diplomacy a chance.” Although he accused Turkey and it’s expansionist regime, given recent events, he also said “I remain an optimist and I refuse to believe that partnership between near neighbors is not possible.”
Russia: President Vladimir Putin emphasized to establish “green corridors” free from trade wars and sanctions as it would not only create more employment but also boost international growth. While talking about the UN Security Council role, he opined the council to be more inclusive of the interests of all countries along with the diversity of their positions. However, this opinion should work without preserving the veto right of permanent members of the Security Council.
This itself is ironic wherein Russia wants to promote the growth of diversities without essentially giving them the power.
France: President Emmanuel Macron took a dig at Russia for using chemical weapons or poisons to kill oppositions in their territory. Russian Government allegedly tried to poison Alexei Navalny, Emmanuel said “For the sake of our collective security, I repeat once more to Russia the need for full light to be shed on the murder attempt on a political opposition figure using a nerve agent, Novichok.” He also shed light on the bipolar world of US-China “ We will need to rely on the strength of goodwill. Because the world as it is today cannot come down to simple rivalry between China and the United States.”
The United Nations as a platform was established with an intension to reduce conflict and promote peace. The ongoing global crisis and wars have challenged its role. UN chief, António Guterres highlighted the importance of international co-operation said: “In an interconnected world, it is high time to recognize a simple truth: solidarity is self-interest.” The contribution of the UN is immense over 75 years, and the need of the institution is more now than ever concerning the toll of infectious COVID-19
Multilateral institutions need an upgrade to more equitably represent all the people of the world, rather than giving disproportionate power to some & limiting the voice of others.
We need a multilateral system that innovates, delivers for people & protects our planet. #UNGA
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 27, 2020
