UNGA 80: INDIA’S BILATERAL ENGAGEMENTS
Context:
- External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar conducted a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York (September 2025).
- These meetings reaffirmed India’s commitment to multilateralism and global partnerships, especially in the Global South.
KEY BILATERAL MEETINGS HELD
India–Mexico:
- Counterpart: Juan Ramon de la Fuente, Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
- Venue: Meeting held in New Delhi (before UNGA).
- Focus Areas:
- Strengthening bilateral political and economic ties.
- Creation of a fresh roadmap for cooperation, building on past diplomatic exchanges.
- Emphasis on strategic alignment, trade, and cooperation in multilateral forums (e.g., UN, G20).
India–Cyprus:
- Counterpart: Constantinos Kombos, Foreign Minister of Cyprus.
- Focus Areas:
- Review of bilateral ties after PM Modi’s visit to Cyprus earlier in 2025.
- Discussed regional developments in Europe.
- India reaffirmed support for:
- A comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue.
- Adherence to the UN-agreed framework and UNSC resolutions.
INDIA FIPIC ENGAGEMENT
Held on the sidelines of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) in New York.
- Countries Engaged:
- Marshall Islands: FM Kalani Kaneko
- Tuvalu: FM Paulson Panapa
- Palau: Minister of State Gustav Aitaro
- Solomon Islands: FM Peter Shanel Agovaka
- Tonga: PM Dr. Aisake Valu Eke
FOCUS AREAS
- Strengthening India’s Act East & Indo-Pacific policies.
- Reaffirmed India’s commitment to developmental partnerships, climate resilience, and capacity-building in the Pacific region.
- Promoting cooperation in areas like:
- Renewable energy
- Healthcare
- Education
- Disaster risk reduction
SIGNIFICANCE
| Aspect | Significance |
| Multilateralism | India continues to push for reformed multilateralism and South-South cooperation. |
| Pacific Outreach (FIPIC) | Reflects India’s long-term interest in the Indo-Pacific as a free, open, and inclusive region. |
| Europe Relations | Ties with Cyprus reflect India’s nuanced stance on sensitive international issues. |
| Mexico Engagement | Strengthening Global South partnerships and expanding India’s presence in Latin America. |
WHAT IS UNGA?
| Feature | Details |
| Established | 1945, under the UN Charter |
| Inaugural Session | January 10, 1946 (51 member states) |
| Headquarters | New York City, USA (permanent HQ from 1951) |
| Current Membership | 193 member states |
| Significance | Main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the United Nations |
FOUNDATION OF UNGA
- Created after the failure of the League of Nations, to uphold collective peace and cooperation.
- UNGA embodies the principle of sovereign equality, giving each member one vote.
| Component | Details |
| Annual Sessions | Begins every September; Special Sessions held as needed. |
| One Vote per Member | Every member has equal voting rights, regardless of size or power. |
| Presidency | Rotates yearly among five regional groups: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Western Europe and others. |
| Observers | Holy See, Palestine, and international organisations participate without voting rights. |
| Decision-Making | – Two-thirds majority required for key issues: peace & security, elections, budget.
– Simple majority for other matters. |
| Seating Arrangement | Alphabetical order; heads of states sit in the first row during general debate. |
6 MAIN COMMITTEES OF UNGA
| Committee | Function |
| 1st – Disarmament and International Security (DISEC) | Deals with disarmament and global security. |
| 2nd – Economic and Financial | Focuses on economic growth and development. |
| 3rd – Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural | Covers human rights and humanitarian issues. |
| 4th – Special Political and Decolonization | Addresses colonial legacy, peacekeeping, and special missions. |
| 5th – Administrative and Budgetary | Manages UN budgeting and administrative issues. |
| 6th – Legal | Handles international legal matters and treaty interpretation. |
| Body | Role |
| General Committee | Coordinates session agendas (President + Vice Presidents + Chairs of committees). |
| UN Disarmament Commission | Provides recommendations on disarmament. |
| International Law Commission | Develops and codifies international law. |
| UN Peacebuilding Commission | Advises on post-conflict recovery. |
| Human Rights Council | Promotes and protects human rights globally. |
| Others | UN Environment Assembly, Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Population and Development. |
FUNCTIONS & POWERS
| Function | Explanation |
| Deliberative Role | Debates on global issues: peace, security, human rights, development. |
| Recommendations | Issues non-binding recommendations to states and the UNSC. |
| Budget Approval | Approves UN budget, assesses member contributions. |
| Appointments | – Elects non-permanent UNSC members.
– Appoints Secretary-General (on UNSC recommendation). – Elects judges to ICJ and members of UNHRC, ECOSOC. |
| Subsidiary Organs | Can create bodies/commissions to address specific global concerns. |
| Uniting for Peace Resolution (1950) | Allows UNGA to act when UNSC is blocked by veto (e.g., in Syria, Palestine). |
| Special Sessions | Convenes special sessions for urgent global matters. |
| Equal Representation | All countries, large or small, have equal voting power. |
UNGA’S MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
| Achievement | Impact |
| Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) | Foundation of global human rights; inspired 80+ international treaties. |
| UN Peacekeeping (since 1948) | Over 70 missions to support peace and protect civilians. |
| Decolonization Declaration (1960) | Helped over 80 nations gain independence. |
| Convention Against Apartheid (1973) | Declared apartheid a crime against humanity. |
| Millennium Development Goals (2000) | Lifted 1+ billion people out of poverty by 2015. |
| 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2015) | Adopted 17 SDGs for poverty, planet, and prosperity. |
| Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (2017) | First binding treaty banning nuclear weapons. |
| Global Compacts on Refugees & Migration (2018) | Principles for managing large-scale migration and refugee protection. |
CHALLENGES FACED
| Challenge | Description |
| Lack of Enforcement Power | Resolutions are non-binding; no compulsory compliance. |
| Consensus Difficulties | 193 members = slow, watered-down outcomes. |
| Geopolitical Tensions | Rivalries (e.g., US-China-Russia) block action on crises. |
| Resource Constraints | Funding gaps delay implementation of key programs. |
| Global Divisions | Ideological blocs like G77, NAM, Western powers cause fragmentation. |
| Dependency on Member States | Political interference can sideline critical issues. |
| UNSC Paralysis | Vetoes in UNSC limit coordination with UNGA. |
| Rising Complex Crises | Climate change, pandemics, and cyber threats demand better coordination. |
| Reform Area | Suggestion |
| Internal Functioning | Improve accountability, transparency, and evaluation. |
| Funding Models | Develop independent funding mechanisms to reduce dependency. |
| Legal Follow-Up | Monitor implementation of resolutions more effectively. |
| UNSC-UNGA Coordination | Promote synergy and resolve deadlocks in peace and security issues. |
| Reduce Political Interference | Insulate decision-making from powerful nations’ agendas. |
| Broader UN Reform | Push for more inclusive global governance, especially in the Security Council. |
INDIA & UNGA
| Contribution | Detail |
| Founding Member | India joined the UN in 1945; a long-standing supporter of multilateralism. |
| Anti-Colonial Voice | Co-sponsored the 1960 Decolonization Declaration. |
| Historic Leadership | Vijaya Laxmi Pandit became the first woman UNGA President in 1953. |
| Security Council Membership | Served 8 times; last in 2021–2022, leading debates on maritime security. |
| Push for UNSC Reform | Advocates permanent membership for India, Germany, Brazil, and Japan. |
| Global Peacekeeping | Major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions. |
| Climate Action | Champion of climate justice and launched International Solar Alliance (ISA). |
| Counterterrorism | India has pushed for Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) since 1996. |
| 2028-29 Bid | India is seeking a non-permanent seat in UNSC for the 2028-29 term. |
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