India to be a ‘voice for developing world’, declares UN representative

Merio Jimmy, Juba

"India looks forward to the collective pursuit of an ideal where the ‘World is One Family," India’s Permanent Representative to the UN has said.

S.D Moorthy, Indian ambassador to South Sudan, released a statement seen by the South Sudan Friendship Press which detailed India’s intention to be a voice for the developing world. The statement noted that India would not shy away from raising its voice against ‘common enemies of humanity’, such as terrorism and poverty. Echoed in the words of India's Ambassador to the United Nations TS Tirumurti, the country has vowed to to bring human-centric and inclusive solutions to matters of international peace and security.

S.D Moorthy, India's ambassador to South Sudan.

Speaking at a special flag installation ceremony organised by the UN Security Council (UNSC), Tirumurti asserted that ‘India comes into the Security Council as the largest democracy, representing 1/6th of humanity, and with a strong commitment to reformed multilateralism, rule of law, a fair and equitable international system and to peace, security and development’.

At the beginning of this year, India began its tenure as a non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation UNSC until 2022. This is the 8th time India has assumed membership of the council.

Tirumurti also added that topics including peacekeeping, peace building, maritime security, women and youth and technology with a human face will be focuses of India’s attention while on the 15-nation Council.

T.S Tirumurti, India's ambassador to the United Nations

Referring to the way in which the world has come together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Tirumurti quoted the Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda in saying ‘each nation must give, in order to live. When you give life, you will have life; when you receive, you must pay for it by giving to all others’.

Alongside India, Norway, Ireland, Mexico and Kenya were also elected as non-permanent UNSC members earlier in the month.

For developing nations such as South Sudan, India’s election to the UNSC represents a new hope for lower income nations in their battle for representation and a voice on the world stage.