UNGA chief optimistic about India’s UNSC permanent seat bid

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24

UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis said on Wednesday that he was hopeful of India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council whose existing composition does not reflect the contemporary geopolitical reality of the world and it needs reforms.

“India is a mature, highly respected member of the United Nations. It is a leader in many ways. And I am sure that that fact is not lost on the members of the General Assembly,” he observed while pointing to the UNSC’s dysfunctionality.

“So, I wish the government and people of India every success in their quest to assume membership of the council on a permanent basis. Whether that occurs or not will be a matter for the members to determine,” he said at a press conference after holding talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during which they discussed Gaza, Ukraine, UNSC reforms and terror.

Francis also praised India for its role in making the African Union a full member of the G20 grouping. “There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that India’s outreach to Africa particularly with regard to its facilitating the membership of the African Union in the G20 demonstrates India’s leadership in the international arena,” he said.

“But more than that it demonstrated India’s long-standing commitment to assist and facilitate development in the Global South,” he added.

Belonging to the diplomatic service of Trinidad and Tobago, Francis has announced his presidency priorities to include peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability.

The theme of his presidency of the 78th UNGA is ‘Rebuilding trust and reigniting solidarity’.

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