India on Wednesday said that the world community needs to ask itself why the United Nations has been “rendered completely ineffective” in finding a solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India, represented by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, was speaking at the UN Security Council open debate on ‘Upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter through effective multilateralism: maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine’ on September 20.
The path to peace in Ukraine requires dialogue and diplomacy, not escalation. We must uphold international law and respect for sovereignty. It’s time for effective multilateralism and dialogue to prevail.
– Mr. @SanjayVermalFS, Secy West @MEAIndia at #UNSC Open Debate on Ukraine pic.twitter.com/tJcmRaZwpV
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) September 21, 2023
Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that “this is not an era of war,” Verma expressed concern over the situation in Ukraine and said there are two “pressing questions” that needed to be asked.
“One, are we anywhere near a possible solution acceptable? And if not, why is it that the UN system, and particularly its principal organ, this very UN Security Council, mandated to primarily maintain international peace and security, rendered completely ineffective to the resolution of the ongoing conflict?” he said.
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“For multilateralism to be effective, outdated and archaic structures need reform and reinventing, else their credibility will always be on the wane. And unless we fix that systemic flaw, we will continue to be found wanting,” he added.
Verma said that the war has had far-reaching consequences not only for the people of Ukraine and those directly affected by the escalation of hostilities but also for the world as a whole. “… collateral consequences of the conflict have led to rising prices of food, fuel and fertilizers, affecting the world at large and particularly the member states of the Global South, who have been left to fend for themselves,” he said.
Stressing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, Verma added, “Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open.”
