India Assumes Presidency of United Nations Security Council; Focus on Maritime Security, Peacekeeping, Counterterrorism

File photo of TS Tirumurti, India’s Ambassador to the UN, at a UNSC briefing July 28. (ANI photo)

NEW YORK – India on Aug. 1 assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council and will be hosting signature events related to maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism during the month.

India took over the presidency from France. Ambassador of India to United Nations TS Tirumurti thanked the French Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, for steering the UN Security Council for the month of July. “Thank you Ambassador @NDeRiviere, PR of France for steering the UN #SecurityCouncil for the month of July. India takes over the Presidency for August,” Tirumurti tweeted.

Meanwhile, France said it is committed to working with India on strategic issues as maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism.

“Delighted that India is today taking over #UNSC presidency from France. We are committed to working with India on strategic issues as maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism, and upholding a rules-based, multilateral system to face today’s many ongoing crises,” Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain tweeted.

This is India’s first presidency in the UNSC during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. The two-year tenure of India as a non-permanent member of the UNSC began on Jan. 1, 2021.

During the presidency of the powerful 15-nation UN body, India said it will be focusing on maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism.

In a video message, Tirumurti July 30 talked about New Delhi’s agenda as it will take over the rotating presidency of the UNSC. He said India will be organizing signature events in three key areas – maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism.

Tirumurti further said that New Delhi will continue to keep the spotlight on counterterrorism. “Further, as a country that has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, we will continue to keep the spotlight on counterterrorism. I would like to thank Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) for counting to guide our permanent mission especially during our stint during the security council,” he said.

This is India’s eighth tenure in the UNSC.