Terror in focus as India begins UNSC presidency

IT’S A SINGULAR HONOUR FOR US TO BE PRESIDING OVER THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN THE SAME MONTH WHEN WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR 75TH I-DAY, SAYS INDIA’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

NEW DELHI: India takes over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of August on Monday, August 2, with plans to focus on maritime security, peacekeeping and counterterrorism, said an Indian diplomat.

“It’s a singular honour for us to be presiding over the security council in the same month when we are celebrating our 75th independence day,” TN Tirumurti, India’s permanent representative to the UN said in a video message released Friday.

Top leaders of the presiding country are known to address the council in their presidency month.

But it could not be immediately ascertained if Prime Minister Narendra Modi or external affairs minister S Jaishankar will address it.

India plans to organize “signature events” in three priority areas during its presidency including maritime security, peacekeeping and counterterrorism.

“Maritime security has high priority for us. It is important for the security council to take a holistic approach to this issue. Peacekeeping is a topic close to our hearts given our long and pioneering involvement with peacekeeping,” said Tirumurti.

India will also call for attention to security for peacekeepers using technology and on “how to bring perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers to justice”.