Missisquoi Valley Union
Justification: India
Since its birth in 1945, the United Nations has been gathering the international community to work toward a better, safer, healthier and a more prosperous existence for the world’s citizens. India is proud to be part of such a forum, and is committed to promoting its noble aims. Throughout its history in the United Nations, India has made significant contributions to the furthering of UN goals, and continues to do so. We maintain strong policies on development, peacekeeping, disarmament, the environment, and human rights, and continue to be a leader in working to improve the world’s overall environment.
India has made significant contributions to the UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF, in addition to being a major sponsor to the World Food Programme. We have also donated substantial voluntary assistance to UNEP, Habitat, UN Drug Control Programme, UN Volunteers, and more. It is our hope that all developed nations will follow India’s lead and amplify their contributions and efforts to aid the developing world.
India considers environmental and developmental issues to be closely intertwined, and is committed to a global partnership that simultaneously seeks to protect the environment while addressing the development requirements and aspirations of all nations. In addition to being an active member of the Commission on Sustainable Development, India also participates and contributes to numerous multilateral environmental conventions, including the Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. It fully supports international cooperation in the field of the environment so as to effectively deal with global environmental problems.
As demonstrated through their peacekeeping efforts, India is committed to strengthening the international community, as well as protecting international peace and security. Indian troops have taken part in some of the United Nation’s most difficult operations, and their professional excellence has won them universal admiration. India has assisted in UN peacekeeping operations throughout the world, contributing most significantly to achieve stability in Africa and Asia. Presently, India is ranked as one of the largest troop contributors to the UN, with over 55,000 Indian Military and Police personnel having served under the UN flag.
India believes that a world free of nuclear weapons would improve both global security and India's own national security, and has therefore pursued the objective of global disarmament. India was the first country to call to an end to all nuclear testing in 1954, and in 1978, following many other initiatives, such as the Partial Test Ban Treaty, India proposed negotiations for an international convention that would prohibit the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. Our continuous commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation is evident from the voluntary measures announced by India after undertaking a limited series of underground nuclear tests. Though India currently maintains a limited amount of credible nuclear deterrent, we have pledged to not engage in an arms race. We are willing to strengthen this commitment by undertaking bilateral agreements, as well as by engaging in discussions for a global “no-first-use” agreement. India believes that a global “no-first-use agreement” would be the first step towards halting threats of nuclear weapons, thus enhancing international security.
India believes deeply in protecting fundamental human rights, and has made it a priority since our independence to secure freedoms for all. Not only did India take an active part in drafting of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, but we were also an influential member of the Commission on Human Rights since its creation in 1947. India established its own National Commission for Human Rights in 1993, and was elected in 2006 as a member of the newly created Human Rights Council. We stand committed to making both as effective as possible at promoting and protecting human rights.
Today, the UN faces new challenges, particularly given the changes which the world has experienced over the past few decades. These challenges, be they economic, social, political, or environmental, are, above all else, global. India believes that we must stand together to tackle these tests of international character and perseverance. As the United Nations strives to find solutions to the world’s complications, India pledges to work, with unshakable conviction and optimism, towards the United Nation's success.
