Updated: September 27, 2020 8:04:10 am
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the United Nations General Assembly (Photo DD / PTI)
At a time when ties with China have plummeted over the crisis in Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked Beijing’s debt trap diplomacy, saying India strengthens its development partnership without any “bad news.” fide intention “to make a partner country” dependent or hapless. “
He also questioned the role of the UN in the pandemic while pushing for reforms in the organization and underscored India’s willingness to take a bigger role in managing the global crisis.
In a veiled reference to Sino-Pakistani relations, the prime minister told the United Nations General Assembly that any gesture of friendship by India towards a country is not directed against any third country.
This is a rare and loud public rebuke by the prime minister of China’s debt trap diplomacy that has come to the fore with President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road initiative, especially in the Indian neighborhood.
In a carefully crafted 22-minute speech at the UNGA, the Prime Minister, in a pre-recorded message, said: “Any gesture of friendship by India towards one country is not directed against any third country. When India strengthens its development partnership, it is not in bad faith intended to make the partner country dependent or hapless. “
He said that India “has always thought of the interests of all mankind and not of its own vested interests.” This philosophy, he said, has always been the driving force behind Indian policies.
“From India’s Neighborhood First policy to our Act East policy, as well as the idea of security and growth for everyone in the region, or our views towards the Indo-Pacific region, we have always worked for the interests of humanity. , and not driven by our own interests. Associations in India are always guided by this same principle, ”he said.
As the world watches China’s aggressive rise in the post-pandemic world, Modi said, “When we were strong, we were never a threat to the world, when we were weak, we never became a burden to the world.”
Given that India will occupy the post of non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council from January 2021 for a period of two years, the prime minister assured that “India will always speak in support of peace, security and prosperity “.
He underscored New Delhi’s commitment to fighting terrorism, but placed it in a broader context. “India will not hesitate to raise its voice against the enemies of humanity, the human race and human values, including terrorism, illegal arms smuggling, drugs and money laundering.”
He also cited the Covid-19 pandemic crisis to point out that reforms are urgently needed at the UN.
“For the past eight to nine months, the entire world has been battling the coronavirus pandemic. Where is the United Nations in this joint fight against the pandemic? Where is your effective response? … Your Excellency, reform in the responses, in the processes and in the very character of the United Nations is the need of the moment, ”Modi said.
He reiterated India’s commitment, willingness and ability to share responsibility on the world stage at a time like this.
“We have never hesitated to share experiences from our development. Even during these very difficult times of the terrible pandemic, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has shipped essential medicines to more than 150 countries, ”he said.
“As the largest vaccine producing country in the world, I want to give one more assurance to the global community today. India’s vaccine production and distribution capacity will be used to help all of humanity fight this crisis. In India and in our neighborhood, we are moving forward with phase 3 clinical trials in India. India will also help all countries to improve their cold chain and storage capacities for vaccine delivery, ”he said.
Pushing for reforms at the UN, he said: “You could say that we have successfully prevented a third world war. But we cannot deny that there have been several wars and many more civil wars. Several terrorist attacks shook the world and rivers of blood have continued to flow ”.
“Is the character of the institution, established in the prevailing circumstances of 1945, still relevant today? With changing times, if we don’t change, then the momentum needed to achieve change will also weaken, ”he said.
Today, the people of India are concerned about whether this reform process will ever reach its logical conclusion. For how long will India be kept out of the decision-making structures of the United Nations? ” I ask.
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