The first major meeting at the United Nations during Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to New York was his meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday.
Jaishankar and Guterres discussed how the second and more virulent wave of Covid-19, the need to ensure access to vaccines for all, climate change, security issues, peacekeeping operations, terrorism and also the situation in Afghanistan can be combated.
At the top of Jaishankar’s agenda were Covid-19 and the acute vaccine shortage India is facing.
A statement from the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York said: “The Secretary General has expressed his solidarity with the government and the Indian people in his efforts to counter the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The statement recognized the Secretary-General’s efforts to facilitate “vaccines for all” but reaffirmed the need for “resilient supply chains”.
Jaishankar and Guterres “discussed the need to increase global vaccine production through expanded supply chains”. The MEA statement continues: “This was essential to ensure a fairer distribution of vaccines around the world in the coming days. India and South Africa’s proposal to renounce vaccination patents on TRIPS can also contribute to higher production and more justice. “
A warm and comprehensive meeting with the Secretary General of the United Nations @antonioguterres.
Discussed the Covid challenge and underlined the importance of finding urgent and effective global vaccine solutions. It is critical to improve the vaccine supply chain to ensure better production and fairer distribution pic.twitter.com/fDAwTyNCRt
– DR.S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 25, 2021
In a series of tweets, Jaishankar wrote: “A warm and comprehensive meeting with UN Secretary General @antonioguterres. Discussed the Covid challenge and underlined the importance of finding urgent and effective global vaccine solutions. Critical to expanding the vaccine supply chain to ensure better production and fairer distribution. “
The two sides also tackled climate change and global warming, with the two leaders agreeing that bigger “ambitions” require more “resources” and more “commitment” from developed countries.
“EAM and the Secretary General discussed ongoing global efforts to address the challenges of climate change. EAM reaffirmed the efforts of the Indian Secretary General to meet his Paris commitments to improve renewable energy targets and take on leadership roles in the International Solar Alliance and Disaster Resistant Infrastructure Coalition, ”the statement said.
This is Jaishankar’s first visit to the United Nations in New York after India became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. This would be an opportunity to discuss at length New Delhi’s approach to the UN Security Council agenda.
“EAM outlined India’s priorities for its presidency of the Security Council in August 2021, including high-level events on maritime security, technology and peacekeeping. He underlined our strong development partnership with Africa, small states and small island developing states. “
The statement continues: “The Secretary General paid tribute to the consistent role played by Indian peacekeeping forces in supporting international peace and security. Their response to support from the people of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the volcanic eruption has been recognized. “
Regarding this issue of Afghanistan, without naming Pakistan, the statement said that both sides discussed regional challenges in the “neighborhood” and expressed “concerns” that “the achievements of the past two decades are adequately protected in Afghanistan”.
“The fight against terrorism and radicalization remains a priority for the entire region,” the statement said. They also discussed the latest developments in Myanmar.
India also supported Secretary General Guterres’ candidacy for a second term. Guterres has already won the support of all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and the Non-Aligned Movement, leading some observers to believe that his re-election is almost a certainty.
“EAM announced that India particularly values the leadership of the United Nations Secretary-General during these challenging times. He has expressed India’s support for his candidacy for re-election for a second term, ”the statement said.
He took office on January 1, 2017 for a term of five years after the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly ratified the election of the Security Council by acclamation on October 13, 2016.
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