On August 1, 2021, India assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council. The country will now be hosting signature events related to maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism during the month. The presidency was taken over from France. This is India’s eighth tenure in the UNSC.
Ambassador of India to the United Nations TS Tirumurti expressed his gratitude to the French Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, to steered the UN Security Council for July.
Thank you Ambassador @NDeRiviere, PR of France for steering the UN #SecurityCouncil for the month of July. India takes over the Presidency for August,” Tirumurti tweeted.
France, in the meantime, has stated that it will work with India on strategic issues such as maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism.
“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 counterterrorism, and upholding a rules-based, multilateral system to face today’s many ongoing crises,” Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain tweeted.
For India, this is the country’s first presidency in the UNSC during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC – a two-year term that began on January 1 this year.
Talking about New Delhi’s agenda as it takes over the rotating presidency of the UNSC, Tirumurti on July 30 said in a video message that India will be organizing signature events in maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism. During the presidency of the powerful 15-nation UN body, India will be focusing on these three key areas. He stressed the fact that the spotlight will continue to be kept on counterterrorism.
“Further, as a country that has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we will continue to keep the spotlight on counterterrorism. I would like to thank Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) for counting to guide our permanent mission especially during our stint during the security council,” Tirumurti was quoted as saying.
