India-Russia Cooperation At The UNSC:
The Bilateral consultations on United Nations related issues were held between India and Russia in New Delhi.
- Russia is set to assume the presidency of the UN Security Council in February, 2022.
- The discussion came in the backdrop of tensions between Russia and Ukraine over possible eastward expansion by NATO.
- Earlier, the 21st India-Russia annual summit took place at New Delhi which also included the first 2+2 ministerial dialogue of India’s foreign and defence ministers with their Russian counterparts.
- Both Sides stresses the importance of reinvigorating multilateralism, with the central coordinating role played by the United Nations in world affairs.
- Russia welcomed India’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with an overwhelming majority for a two-year term.
- Russia supports India’s candidacy for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council and of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
- Both Sides support the comprehensive reform of the UNSC to reflect contemporary global realities and to make it more representative, effective and efficient in dealing with issues of international peace and security.
- Both Sides are committed to enhanced cooperation within BRICS.
- Russia congratulates India on its successful BRICS Chairmanship in 2021, including hosting of the XIII BRICS Summit on 9th September 2021 and adopting the New Delhi Declaration.
- The role of the New Development Bank (NDB) is recognised by both sides as vital to addressing development challenges, including health and economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic and encouraged the NDB to explore the possibility of financing more social infrastructure projects, including those that use digital technologies.
- India and Russia recognise the achievements of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the last two decades of its operation and believe that it has the great potential for further interaction among the SCO Member States.
- They intend to focus particularly on increasing the effectiveness of countering terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, cross-border organized crime, and information security threats, in particular by improving the functionality of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
- They are also determined to cooperate within the G20 format and intensify the same on issues of global and mutual interest, keeping in view India’s presidency of the G20 in 2023.
- Both sides agree that safeguarding of global commons including our oceans, outer space and information space should be based on the principles of transparency, accessibility and upholding international law.
