Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch before UN chief Ban Ki-moon for much- needed reforms in the world body, especially in its Security Council, before the UN celebrates its 70th anniversary next year.
Modi met Ban ahead of his maiden address to the UN General Assembly and the two leaders discussed regional issues as well as climate change.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters that the two leaders yesterday discussed issues like imminent reforms in the UN and the need to involve countries contributing peace troops in the decision making process of the multilateral institution. Modi made a strong pitch before Ban for the UN reforms before its 70th anniversary next year, Akbaruddin said.
Modi during his address to the General Assembly said the reforms of the 15-member powerful body should be carried out by 2015 to make it more "democratic and participative".
"We must reform the United Nations, including the Security Council, and make it more democratic and participative," Modi said told the annual session of the 193 countries strong UN General Assembly. "Institutions that reflect the imperatives of 20th century won't be effective in the 21st. It would face the risk of irrelevance; and we will face the risk of continuing turbulence with no one capable of addressing it," he said.
As the UN observes its 70th anniversary next year, of which India was a founding member, it is appropriate that the much needed reforms of the UN Security Council is carried out by 2015, Modi said.
Ban expressed gratitude to Modi for India's "significant contribution" to peacekeeping operations and voiced admiration for his focus on improving the socio-economic well-being of the country's people. "The Secretary-General expressed his admiration for the Prime Minister's focus on improving the socio-economic well-being of all Indian people. They discussed climate change and the need to address this challenge," Ban's spokesperson said in a statement. "The Secretary-General thanked India for its significant contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations. They also discussed regional issues," the statement said.
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