On Monday, August 2, India will assume the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August, with plans to focus on maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism, according to an Indian diplomat.
“It’s a singular honour for us to be presiding over the security council in the same month when we are celebrating our 75th independence day,” T N Tirumurti, India’s permanent representative to the UN said in a video message released Friday.
The presiding country’s top leaders are known to address the council during their presidency month. However, it was unclear whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi or External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would address the council, and if so, when. More information will be available in a schedule that will be released on Monday.
India plans to organize “signature events” in three priority areas during its presidency including maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism.
Tirumurti said, “Maritime security has high priority for us. It is important for the security council to take a holistic approach to this issue. Peacekeeping is a topic close to our hearts given our long and pioneering involvement with peacekeeping.”
India will call for attention to security for peacekeepers using technology and on “how to bring perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers to justice”.
And, as a country that has been at the forefront in the fight against terrorism, India plans to use the presidency to keep the “spotlight on counter-terrorism”.
This is India’s eighth term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and it has been eager to use the two-year term to bolster its case for a permanent seat, which has the support of all permanent members except China.
