The Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi today said that India firmly believes that the path to sustainable existence is through multilateralism.
His remarks came during his address at the high-level political forum segment of the U.N.’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This is his first address to the U.N., after India got elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (U.N.), for a 2-year term recently.
ECOSOC is one of the six principal organs of the U.N., established under the U.N. Charter in 1945. The Council serves as the central forum for discussing international economic, social and environmental issues. It organises a 4-week session every year in July.
The theme of this year’s High-Level Segment is ‘Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary’.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi said, “Be it earthquakes, cyclones, Ebola crisis or any other natural or man-made crisis, India has responded with speed and solidarity. In our joint fight against COVID, we have extended medical and other assistance to over 150 countries.”
Assuring support to U.N., Modi said, “With our deep commitment to maintaining global harmony, to improving socio-economic equity, and to preserving nature’s balance, India will play its role in full support of the UN agenda.”
The official twitter handle of Prime Minister of India’s Office (PMO) tweeted, “From the very beginning, India has actively supported the UN’s development work and the ECOSOC. The first president of ECOSOC was an Indian. India also contributed to shaping the ECOSOC agenda: PM @narendramodi”
It further tweeted, “India is home to one-sixth of humanity. We are mindful of our weight and responsibility. We know that if India succeeds in achieving its development objectives, it will go a long way in achievement of global goals: PM @narendramodi”
Giving the context of Second World War, Modi said that as U.N. was originally born from the furies of the Second World War. Today, the fury of the COVID-19 provides the context for U.N.’s rebirth and reform.
During his address, he also stated that India has leveraged the power of technology for financial inclusion. This is based on the trinity of a unique identity number, a bank account, and a mobile connection for everyone. He informed the member states that India is on track to eradicate TB by 2025. Other developing countries can learn from the scale and success of India’s development programmes. And from the technologies and innovations India has deployed.
Meanwhile, with another highest single day spike of 34,956 Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and 687 casualties, India has crossed the million-mark with a total of 10,03,832 cases and 11,194 casualties.
India is the third most affected country after United States (U.S.) with 35,33,905 cases and 1,38,358 casualties and Brazil with 20,14,738 cases and 76,822 casualties. Globally, there are 1,38,33,957 cases of COVID-19 and there have been 5,90,650 casualties.
Despite this continuous spike in cases, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has said that there are less than 1.94% of 3.42 lakh active cases in ICU, 0.35% on ventilator and 2.81% on oxygen support. The recovery rate is 63.33%.
