PM Modi questions UNSC’s ability to represent the world without India having a seat.

NEW DELHI: Calling for restructuring of the UN Security Council to reflect global realities, PM Narendra Modi has batted for India’s inclusion as a permanent member of the body, saying the “issue is not just about credibility, but something much larger”, and wondering how the world’s largest democracy and most populous country can be denied its rightful place.

Modi landed in Paris on Thursday on a two-day visit to France. Soon after his arrival, the PM said an agreement has been reached for using India’s UPI in France and that it would start from Eiffel Tower.

Ahead of his departure, in an interview to French newspaper ‘Les Echos’, the PM said UNSC’s “skewed membership leads to opaque decision-making process”. “In this changed world, many questions arise — are these representative of today’s world? Are they able to discharge the roles for which they were set up? Do countries…feel that these organisations matter, or are relevant… How can it claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member,” he asked.

The UN Security Council, in particular, epitomises this dissonance. How can we talk of it as a primary organ of a global body, when entire continents of Africa and Latin America are ignored?” the PM said. Modi counselled caution about the suggestion that “western values” have universal appeal, saying, “Philosophies from every corner of the world have to be considered… the world makes quick progress only when it learns to let go of anachronistic and outdated notions. There is one earth but not one philosophy.”

Asked about the threat from “aggressive” China, the PM reiterated India’s stand for peaceful resolution of disputes and the need to respect sovereignty of nations. “This is more important than ever for maintaining mutual trust and confidence.”

To a question whether India expects strategic support from France in the stand-off with Beijing, Modi emphasised that New Delhi and Paris share a broadbased and comprehensive strategic partnership which is not targeted at any country. “When countries with similar vision and values work together, bilaterally, in plurilateral arrangements or regional institutions, they can deal with any challenge. Our partnership, including in the Indo-Pacific region is not directed against, or at the expense of any country,” said Modi, adding that “the partnership is focused on economic and security interests, to ensure freedom of navigation and commerce and advance the rule of international law in the region”. He denied that India under him has been aspiring to be the leader of the Global South, but said it can be its bridge for the North and, therefore, needed to be supported by others to be that vital link. “I feel that the word ‘leader’ is quite heavy and India should not arrogate or assume any position. I don’t think India should think in terms of its position as a leader nor do we think of it in that sense.”

Elaborating further, the PM said, “… if Global South has to make that high jump, India can be that shoulder to propel it ahead. For the Global South, India can also build its linkages with Global North… So I feel that what we need is to strengthen this shoulder so that the linkages between the North and South can become stronger and the Global South can itself become stronger.”

On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Modi said, “India’s stand has been clear, transparent and consistent. I have said that it is not an era of war. We have urged both sides to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy.” “We are also deeply concerned about the impact of the conflict on the wider world, especially the Global South. Countries already suffering from the impact of the Covid pandemic now face energy, food and health crisis, economic slowdown, inflation and rising debt burden. The conflict must end,” he said.

Modi said India’s belief in multilateral action is deep-rooted. “The International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’ initiative, India’s Indo Pacific Oceans Initiatives are all examples of this approach. Or, our supply of Covid vaccines to over 100 countries and sharing our open source digital platform CoWin freely with others. There is a global recognition today that India is a force of good in the world and indispensable for global unity, cohesion, peace and prosperity at a time of great turmoil and risks of fragmentation in the world,” he said. On India’s soft power, he said the country’s exports have never been war and subjugation, but yoga, Ayurveda, spirituality, science, mathematics, and astronomy.