External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday. Jaishankar is spearheading the Indian delegation at the assembly.
During his speech, Jaishankar covered a wide spectrum of topics, spanning from Global South concerns to the imperative actions required for combating injustice like vaccine apartheid. Additionally, he highlighted the noteworthy achievements during India’s G20 presidency, as well as the remarkable success of India’s Moon Mission Chandrayaan 3.
Here’s what EAM Jaishankar said addressing the UNGA
Starting his speech at the 78th UNGA, Jaishankar said, “Namaste from Bharat!…Our fullest support to this UNGA’s theme of rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity. This is an occasion to take stock of our achievements and challenges even while sharing our aspirations and goals. Indeed, in regard to both, there is much that India has to share.”
Jaishankar further emphasised that the African Union becoming a member of the G20 should inspire the United Nations, a much older organisation, to also make the Security Council contemporary.
“Recognising that growth and development must focus on the most vulnerable, we began presidency by convening the Voice of the Global South Summit. This enabled us to hear directly from 125 nations and place their concerns on the G20 Agenda. As a consequence, issues that deserve global attention got a fair hearing. More than that, the deliberations produced outcomes that have great significance for the international community,” Jaishakar said.
Talking about vaccine apartheid and climate action, he said, “We must never again allow an injustice like vaccine apartheid to recur. Climate Action too cannot continue to witness an evasion of historical responsibilities. The power of markets should not be utilised to steer food and energy from the needy to the wealthy. Nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercises in cherry-picking. When reality departs from rhetoric, we must have the courage to call it out…”
Highlighting India’s G20 Presidency and its vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future, the EAM said, “The world is witnessing an exceptional period of turmoil…At this juncture, it was with a sense of exceptional responsibility that India took up the presidency of G20. Our vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ sought to focus on the key concerns of the many, not just the narrow interests of the few…”
Jaishankar further highlighted the remarkable success of India’s Moon mission, Chandrayaan 3.
“India has entered the ‘Amrit Kaal’…The world saw a glimpse of what is to come when our Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon. Today, our message to the world is in digitally enabled governance and delivery in the widening ambit of amenities and services and rapidly growing infra and in our energetic start-up structure,” Jaishankar said.
Earlier, during the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Jaishankar had also held a series of discussions with fellow foreign ministers from various nations and discussed regional, multilateral, and global cooperation.