US backs China & Russia, blow to Indian UNSC dream

[Hindustani78]

By PTI | 26 Sep, 2015, 10.28PM IST
Yashwant Sinha flays Narendra Modi government for pursuing G-4 route for UNSC membership - The Economic Times

NEW DELHI: Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha today criticized Narendra Modi government for following the footsteps of its predecessor UPA dispensation and aligning with Germany, Japan and Brazil in its quest for permanent membership of UN Security Council.

Sinha, a former External Affairs Minister, said India could have taken a path different from the G+4 and need not have pursued the grouping with the "vigour" with which it is doing now.

Modi made a "mistake" by continuing with UPA's strategy of relying on G-4, Sinha said adding that it was one thing to align with developing countries and another to include two developed countries - Germany and Japan--in this group.

Asked if Modi should have pursued the UNSC permanent membership case differently rather than following Manmohan Singh government, Sinha said "yes, I would agree with that. The more we show the unity of G4, the greater will be the opposition to new inductions as permanant members and the chances will recede further.

"We need not have pursued the G4 with the vigour with which we are doing," Sinha told Karan Thapar on India Today TV when asked if this was a foriegn policy mistake on India's part.

He said that it was India's mistake not to join the global coalition against terror group ISIS and the United States and P5 + 1 group's efforts to contain Iran's nuclear programme.

"As far as ISIS is concerned, India should have been at the forefront of organising an alliance at the global level to fight ISIS and not merely leave it to indivudual Arab countries.

"They are doing permanant damage to our civilisational heritage. They are killing people in the most brutal manner. In the 21st century, we should not be sitting down and looking at it as bystander. We should be in it as thickly as possible," Sinha said.

Making a strong pitch for delinking terrorism from religion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ongoing trip to US asserted that a global response was required to effectively combat international terrorism propagated by outfits like Islamic State (IS).

Sinha said that India should be involved in all major global security and political issues as it is involved in economic issues.

 

[Stella Maris]

WTF? Why should India get a UNSC permanent seat before even technologically advanced giants like Japan or Germany? Too much day dreaming is not good. First India should work on catching up then demand what it deserves. This is like one of the last people to finish the race demanding a gold medal.

Good evening. UNSC permanent seat is not a reward for good performance, but a recognition of the existing realities of geo-political balance. India deserves to be in, and so do Brazil, Germany, Japan and South Africa. Veto power should be taken away from all members. It is an unnecessary anachronism from the past.

 

[somebozo]

It is the China that is the problem for India's UNSC seat and not US and Russia. But by not having India, UNSC cannot be democratic or legal...you just cannot leave 20% of world population out and claim to represent the world.

World does not revolve around India..especially when that 20% is heavily dependent on the top powers for their basic needs..when India reaches a stage where it can project power without needing to negotiate arms contracts with EU and USA and its president is not making tours with Fortune 500 CEO's to attract investment but the other way around - then a UNSC seat would make a more reasonable consideration for India..

Right now..Japan and Germany are more than eligible members because these two are considerable economic and military heavy weights and had it been not for WW2, Japan and Germany would be defacto members of UNSC.

 

[ito]

World does not revolve around India..especially when that 20% is heavily dependent on the top powers for their basic needs..when India reaches a stage where it can project power without needing to negotiate arms contracts with EU and USA and its president is not making tours with Fortune 500 CEO's to attract investment but the other way around - then a UNSC seat would make a more reasonable consideration for India..

Right now..Japan and Germany are more than eligible members because these two are considerable economic and military heavy weights and had it been not for WW2, Japan and Germany would be defacto members of UNSC.

I never said world revolves or should revolve around India, what I am saying is that in a democratic Institution like UN, you cannot keep 20% of the world population out of its decision making process. And since when did making arms or being rich is a criteria to become a permanent member? You cannot have a rich man's club to decide what should happen in the world.

As on investments, countries should market themselves. China does, India does and so do US. If Pakistan doesn't, it is Pakistan's problem. With in a decade India is sure to overtake both Japan and Germany in Military and Economic might. What do you have to say about it.

 

[Luca1]

I never said world revolves or should revolve around India, what I am saying is that in a democratic Institution like UN, you cannot keep 20% of the world population out of its decision making process. And since when did making arms or being rich is a criteria to become a permanent member? You cannot have a rich man's club to decide what should happen in the world.

As on investments, countries should market themselves. China does, India does and so do US. If Pakistan doesn't, it is Pakistan's problem. With in a decade India is sure to overtake both Japan and Germany in Military and Economic might. What do you have to say about it.

India should work hard to provide its people basic needs. When it cannot feed its own people, it shouldn't worry about UNSC seats. Stop being a fail state first.

 

[Farooq]

The world, especially China and Russia, understand that a country like India filled with rabid rapists will greatly diminish the prestige of the UNSC

 

[Hindustani78]

Last Updated: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 00:25
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New York: Climate change and cooperation in combating terrorism and boosting defence ties were high on the agenda of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama here on Monday that saw both leaders renew the warmth of ties with hugs

After hour-long talks, including delegation-level, Obama in his media statement recalled his January visit for India's Republic Day, terming it a wonderful visit.

He said their talks focused much on climate change and the upcoming climate change talks in Paris.

He said both sides agreed that it was a crucial issue and all countries have responsibility towards fighting climate change.

Obama said he was "encouraged by the impressive nature of Modi's commitment to clean energy. And I really think the Indian leadership in the upcoming Paris conference will set the tone not just today but in the decades to come (on climate change)".

Obama said both sides with "efforts" can solve the problem.

Both also talked trade and investment, Obama said, referring to the talks last week on the first India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue here, chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Referring to Modi's address to the Indian diaspora, he said the Indian community in the US was very large and successful.

He hailed the strategic ties that encompasses education to defence procurement.

Modi, in his media statement, said both nations can apply innovation and technology for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, including combating climate change and conserving nature.

"President and I share an uncompromising commitment on climate change, without affecting our ability to meet the development aspirations of humanity. We have both set ambitious national agendas," he said.

He said India's measures to combat climate change includes a plan for 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, as well as a development strategy to transition to a more sustainable energy mix.

"I also thank President Obama for his positive response to my call for a global public partnership for developing affordable clean energy sources that will enable faster adoption of clean energy across the world."

"We should work together to advance that goal. And, it is equally important to develop mechanisms to ensure that the affordable also become accessible to those who need it the most," said Modi.

Modi thanked Obama for the US' support to India for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council.

He also appreciated America's support for India's membership of the international export control regimes within a targeted time frame.

"Our defence cooperation, including defence trade and training, is expanding. As existing terrorism threats grow and new ones emerge, we have resolved to further deepen cooperation on counter terrorism and radicalism. We have just had a successful cyber security dialogue," he said.

"I welcomed the progress in our Joint Strategic Vision on Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions and our engagement with partners like Japan," he said.

Modi said that since his visit to the US last September, both sides have "achieved significant progress in our bilateral cooperation and international partnership".

He said India looks forward to working with the US for India's early membership of Asian Pacific Economic Community.

IANS


First Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 00:23

 

[Hindustani78]

UNSC reform most urgent and pressing need: Swaraj | Zee News

United Nations: India Friday said that UN Security Council reform is the "most urgent and pressing need" and called for inclusion of more developing nations in the decision making structures of the powerful world body.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that in order to preserve the "centrality and legitimacy" of the UN as the custodian of global peace, security and development, the reform of the Security Council is its "most urgent and pressing need."

"This is the need of the hour. How can we have a Security Council in 2015 which still reflects the geo-political architecture of 1945? How can we have a Security Council which still does not give place as a permanent member to Africa and Latin America?," she questioned.

Swaraj underscored the need for including more developing nations in the decision making structures of the Security Council and to change the way it does business by doing away with outdated and non-transparent working methods.

"Imparting more legitimacy and balance to the Council would restore its credibility and equip it to confront the challenges of our times," she said.

"As with nations, so with institutions. It is only a periodic renovation that provides an organisation with meaning and purpose. In a world that continues to be dominated by wealthy and influential nations, the notion of sovereign equality of the UN has permitted the developing world to question some unfair norms.

"But it has not permitted a fundamental challenge to the inequity of a system built for a world that longer exists," Swaraj said.

She voiced India's appreciation for the leadership of former UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa and chair of the Inter-Governmental Negotiations Courtnay Rattray for putting on table a negotiating text, a significant achievement in over two decades of discussions.

"This first, but critical step, must be the springboard for action in this historic 70th Session of the UNGA," she said.

She said the UN has been successful in preventing a third world war, in assisting decolonisation and dismantling apartheid, in combating global epidemics and reducing global hunger, and in promoting democracy and human rights.

But at the same time it has not been able to prevent conflicts taking place in several parts of the world, she said.

"If we ask whether we were able to find permanent solution to these conflicts, the answer is no. If we ask whether we were able to show the path of peace to a world which is going on the way of violence, the answer is no.

"On these parameters, the United Nations appears as an ineffective institution in the area of international peace and security. It has failed to effectively address the new challenges to international peace and security," she said.

On UN peacekeeping operations, Swaraj said it cannot be a substitute for political solutions and called for the Security Council to formulate its peacekeeping mandates in consultation with those countries which provide troops for peacekeeping operations as provided for in the UN Charter.

"India remains committed to continue supporting the UN Peacekeeping Operations and even enhance our contributions," she added.

Swaraj said India's new contributions will cover all aspects of peacekeeping ? personnel, enablers and training.

Voicing India's continued commitment to international peacekeeping operations, Swaraj said it has been India's view that these operations cannot substitute for political solutions, a fact that has been underscored by the High Level Independent Panel as well.

"Equally, there can be no dilution of the cardinal principles of peacekeeping, which are consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force other than for self-defence and defence of the mandate," she said.

The safety of peacekeepers, security of nations and the future of the international community itself is now dependent on how it responds to the greatest threat of terrorism, she added.

With 1,80,000 peacekeepers deployed so far, India has been the largest provider of international security by the UN. Even today, about 8,000 Indian military and police personnel are participating in 10 Missions, operating in highly challenging environments.

Paying tribute to more than 3,300 peacekeepers including 161 from India who have made the ultimate sacrifice, Swaraj said India stands ready to contribute to the Peacekeepers Memorial Wall, which has been approved by the 69th General Assembly.

On refugee crisis, she said the international community has not done enough to address it due to the conflict situation in Syria, Iraq and Libya and a swift response backed by political will is the need of the hour.

She highlighted that India's own response in its neighbourhood to humanitarian crises has been "quick, responsive and holistic."

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

President Mukherjee meets King Abdullah; enhanced trade ties sought - The Hindu
Updated: October 10, 2015 22:51 IST

President Mukherjee, King Abdullah inaugurate joint venture fertilizer plant.
In the first leg of his “historic” six-day tri-nation tour to West Asia, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday held talks with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman on various bilateral issues including trade and investment, counter-terrorism and United Nations Security Council reforms.

President Mukherjee, who arrived here this afternoon in a special Air India aircraft, was welcomed by the King at the al Husseinieh Palace in a colourful ceremony. The president was accorded a guard of honour in the forecourt of the palace after which both leaders got down to talks.

The King assured that Jordan fully supports India’s bid for a permanent membership at a reformed UNSC. He has also offered long-term contracts for enhancing exports to India, and said that “an arrangement” would be created within the Royal court to look into problems faced by Indian workers.

India, on its part, offered a $100 million line of credit to expand trade and investment relations between the two countries. The projects that would get funds from this loan would be worked out later, Anil Wadhwa, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, told the accompanying media delegation here after the restricted meeting between the President and the King.

Mr. Mukherjee told King Abdullah that Jordan can play an enhanced role in India’s food and energy security. India is the largest importer of Jordanian phosphate. At present around 20 Indian companies are operating in Jordan with around $300 million investments. Both nations are planning to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion a year, from around $2 billion now.

“Jordan has become a hub of financial services. Jordan also wants to enhance exports. The financial clime the country is in favour of investments. Jordan already has free trade agreements with the EU and the US. There’s a favourable atmosphere for the Indian companies to come in and invest in Jordan,” Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said during the talks.

President Mukherjee and King Abdullah have inaugurated an $860-million Indo-Jordanian joint venture fertiliser plant which will mainly manufacture sulphuric acid- and phosphoric acid-based nutrients. Jordan India Fertilizer Company (JIFCO) is 53 per cent owned by the Indian Farmers and Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) and its affiliates.

Both leaders have also reiterated the need for greater cooperation in counter-terrorism. The President noted that Jordan is in the forefront of fighting terrorism in West Asia.

This is the first time an Indian President is visiting the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had visited the country in 1988. Mr. Mukherjee’s visit comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen tries ties with West Asian countries, both Arab nations and Israel, and the region is grappled with increasing terror threats. Parts of Jordan’s neighbouring country Syria have been occupied by the Islamic State terror group which is attracting extremists from around the world, including India, to join its “Caliphate”.

However, Mr. Wadhwa said the specific issue of the Islamic State did not come up in the meeting.

The President will also go to Palestine and Israel. He will address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, in yet another sign of strengthening India-Israeli ties.

 

[Hindustani78]

Boosting trade, security ties on agenda of India-Africa Summit | Zee News
India has been having a cordial relationship with African nations with most of them supporting New Delhi's endevour to become a permanent member in an expanded UN Security Council.

 

[EXPERIMENT]

India cannot join the UNSC permanent member countries till it fulfills the base requisite: Which is to kill at least 10 Million human beings, at least try to make the cull foreign, but locals can do... is that not correct? In fact China has had more human losses in Civil wars(killing their own) then they ever suffered in invasion. So in conclusion UNSC membership requirement is measured in blood.

SDK

 

[Hindustani78]

India cannot join the UNSC permanent member countries till it fulfills the base requisite: Which is to kill at least 10 Million human beings, at least try to make the cull foreign, but locals can do... is that not correct? In fact China has had more human losses in Civil wars(killing their own) then they ever suffered in invasion. So in conclusion UNSC membership requirement is measured in blood.

SDK

India will join UNSC permanent seat and its about time .

 

[EXPERIMENT]

India will join UNSC permanent seat and its about time .

I never said that India could/should not join. Point is the "requirement" I know a little history to say the winners "allies" of WW2 were the creators of UNSC. Rest I leave for you to ponder. Thanks

 

[Hindustani78]

I never said that India could/should not join. Point is the "requirement" I know a little history to say the winners "allies" of WW2 were the creators of UNSC. Rest I leave for you to ponder. Thanks

United states, Britian and France do supports Permanent seat for India .

Even majority of Arab nations, African nations and South East and Central Asian republics have voiced thier support.

 

[EXPERIMENT]

United states, Britian and France do supports Permanent seat for India .

Even majority of Arab nations, African nations and South East and Central Asian republics have voiced thier support.

Well great, I am all for India getting the seat. (As long as it does not have to fulfill the "requirements")