India Advocates Peace at UNGA

• India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine and Gaza, emphasizing the global impact of these conflicts at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
• He asserted India's commitment to protecting its citizens and interests, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism, and stated that India stands ready to take on greater responsibilities amidst discussions on restructuring the UN Security Council.
• Jaishankar criticized the UN's effectiveness, mentioning that it is in a state of crisis and lacking the ability to respond to global threats like terrorism, resource shortages, and human rights violations; this affects belief in multilateralism.
• In regional discussions, the trilateral grouping IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza, while Jaishankar highlighted the importance of the multilateral trading system within BRICS amid rising global protectionism.
• Tensions between India and Pakistan were evident, as Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif called for dialogue, praising US intervention, while India responded asserting that external interference in bilateral matters was unwelcome and emphasized its right to self-defense during military operations.

Key Points:

• Call for Peace: India supports restoring peace in conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
• Zero Tolerance for Terrorism: EAM Jaishankar emphasized a strong stance against terrorism and a commitment to national security.
• UN Effectiveness: Jaishankar described the UN as being in crisis, with reduced multilateralism effectiveness.
• Reforming UNSC: India advocates for a reformed UN Security Council and is ready for greater responsibilities.
• IBSA Stance: IBSA strongly condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and focused on international humanitarian law.
• BRICS Advocacy: Jaishankar urged BRICS nations to maintain the integrity of the multilateral trading system in light of protectionism.
• India-Pakistan Relations: Discussed tensions following Pakistan's call for negotiations; India emphasized the importance of bilateral dialogue free of third-party involvement.