India’s statement at the General Debate of the 77th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on 24 September 2022 projected India’s age-old outlook of seeing the world as one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam). External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, who delivered the statement, said that India is resolved to create more capacities for global good in the next 25 years. He called for greater unity and solidarity and coming together on global issues, such as terrorism, pandemics or the environment. 700 projects by India across the world underlines the focus on green growth, better connectivity, digital delivery and accessible health.
2. Reaffirming India’s philosophy of responding in accordance with the needs and priorities of her partners, EAM highlighted that India offers partnerships to her brothers and sisters in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Supplying vaccines to over 100 countries was a testimony to this approach. India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief evacuation operations always accommodated non-Indian nationals in distress.
3. On India’s neighbourhood, EAM noted that accumulation of debt in fragile economies is of particular concern. Calling on the international community to rise above narrow national agendas, he alluded to the unprecedented assistance of USD 3.8 billion extended to Sri Lanka in 2022 as an instance of exceptional measure by India during exceptional times. He stressed that India has stood strong with her neighbours on aspects such as disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
4. He underlined India’s consistent emphasis on Peace, dialogue and diplomacy and said that this is not an era of war or of conflict but it is a time for development and for cooperation. He also reiterated India’s ‘zero-tolerance’ approach on terrorism.
5. Alluding to “Lifestyle for Environment” or LiFE, as declared by Prime Minister Modi in Glasgow on the sidelines of COP26 as India’s homage to Mother Nature, EAM reiterated India’s support to any collective and equitable endeavor to protect the environment and further global wellness.
6. Highlighting that the injustice faced by the Global South is to be decisively addressed, he expressed India’s willingness to take up greater responsibilities and made a call for reformed multilateralism with reforms of the UN Security Council at its core. He said this enjoyed considerable support among UN members.
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Colombo
26 September 2022
