External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held discussions with the visiting United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon here on Monday, focussing on the role and mandate of troop-contributing nations for peace-keeping operations and increasing their say in decision-making.
“This was a discussion which covered a lot of ground, helped us understand the U.N.’s perspective on a lot of things and it indicates our engagement on the global stage on a variety of issues,” Syed Akbaruddin, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, told the media.
The U.N. Secretary General said that a committee had been set up to look into all aspects of this issue and a report would be submitted in the next few months, Mr. Akbaruddin said.
India has been one of the largest contributors to U.N. peacekeeping missions. Currently there are more than 8,000 Indian soldiers serving under the U.N. flag in ten of its 16 peacekeeping missions.
Mr. Ban Ki-moon raised the issue of ‘air component’ in peacekeeping operations. India had earlier deployed helicopters in Congo, which it later withdrew in view of domestic requirements.
The second issue discussed was the forthcoming summit on climate change in Paris at the year end. “The Secretary General outlined that it was a priority for him and that all member-states focus on this and try to get an agreement as the talks have gone on for too long,” said Mr. Akbaruddin.
On her part, Ms. Swaraj explained the measures taken by India in terms of our own commitments to ensure that our development is sustainable.
India has increased its renewable energy target five fold from 20,000 MW to 100,000 MW by 2022. Ms. Swaraj also emphasised on improving hydropower generation, another low carbon fuel, along with Bhutan and Nepal and other measures like Clean Ganga project.
There was also a discussion on U.N. Security Council reforms. India has been campaigning for reform of the Security Council to reflect the realities of the modern world.
Terrorism as a growing global concern too figured in the discussions, Mr. Akbaruddin added.
