India ready for role in UN Security Council, will increase diplomatic strength

India has decided to further strengthen its diplomatic presence before starting its role as a temporary member in the UN Security Council from January 2021. For this, India has appointed Additional Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) and Counselor who will look into the affairs of UNSC. Foreign Minister Subramanian Jaishankar himself will conduct an Indian review every month. 

According to South Block, R Ravindran, a 1999 batch Indian Foreign Service officer and Joint Secretary (Central and West Africa), will join the equivalent rank of DPR in the Indian Permanent Mission in New York. 2007 IFS Officer and Deputy Secretary in PMO Prateek Mathur Counselor (UNSC) will be appointed.

The mission is already headed by TS Trimurti and Nagraj Naidu is DPR. Both new officials will join the group before the start of the United Nations General Assembly on 15 September 2020. Preparations begin months before the new provisional member officially joins the UNSC. 

Ravindran served at UNPR with Hardeep Singh Puri, now Minister of Civil Aviation. Puri led the mission in 2011-12 when India was a temporary member. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defined the Indian stance in UNSC with 5S, respect, dialogue, cooperation, peace (global peace) and prosperity (global prosperity). 

India received 184 votes out of 192 for the UNSC seat. So much support surprised everyone because the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir led to misleading propaganda campaigns against India’s enemies, especially Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia and China. 

A senior government official said, “We believe that India got so many votes because it stood up against China in East Ladakh in June.” Only 129 votes were needed, but India got additional votes because of its ability to fight to protect its land. “Diplomatists also underline that New Delhi is preparing for a constructive role in UNSC, But it is not forgotten that he has been waiting for 75 years to become a permanent member.