India attacks UNSC for “Progressively Undermining” UN General Assembly in finding solutions for global challenges

United Nations, Mar 20: India is known for her strong voice in the United Nations. India always put forth her strong opinions in the wake of contemporary issues. India took a strong stand and said, the UN General Assembly must take lead in finding solutions to the challenges faced by the world, India criticized the UNSC for “progressively undermining" the authority of the 193-member global body.

On Monday, India’s Deputy permanent representative K Nagaraj Naidu said, “The growing number of complex challenges facing the world, like those related to peace and security, climate change and sustainable development that cut across boundaries and regions can be addressed only through a genuine multilateral and participative process”.

He stressed issue and said, The General Assembly, which is the closest institution to a world parliament, must take the lead in setting the global agenda and in restoring the centrality of the UN in formulating multilateral approaches to resolving transnational issues.

India has criticized the UN Security Council's veto-wielding members in the past for obstructing the designation of terrorists without giving any explanation, apparently hitting out at China for repeatedly blocking its bid to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

New Delhi strongly criticized the UN late last year for its failure to show resolve in sanctioning new Taliban leaders who continue to perpetrate violence and destruction in Afghanistan and aided by those harbored in safe havens in its neighborhood, a veiled reference to Pakistan.

Naidu said that the revitalization process must also restore the primacy of the United Nations in development matters.

He stated, “The prerogatives and authority of the General Assembly have been progressively undermined by the Security Council through its frequent attempts to redefine its scope of competence through wider and permissive interpretations of what constitutes a threat to international peace and security and by engaging in discussions on issues that clearly fall within the purview of the General Assembly”.

The statement by Naidu stated that A part of the blame for this situation must also be taken by the General Assembly and its member-states for focusing on procedures rather than addressing the substantive issues.

Naidu said The political will and commitment of member states were required to reinforce the role and authority of the General Assembly as mandated by the UN Charter. It was important that the main organs of the UN work in synergy with one another while fully respecting their respective mandates given by the UN Charter.