NEW DELHI: After it took over as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, India will chair three crucial subsidiary committees, namely Taliban and Libya sanctions committees and also the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the government announced on Friday.
India began its two-year tenure at the UNSC as a non-permanent member on January 1.
"The UN Security Council establishes subsidiary bodies on specific issues, including on the sanctions regimes," said India's Permanent Representative to UN T S Tirumurti.
He said the Taliban sanctions committee, also known as the 1988 Sanctions Committee, had always been a high priority for India, keeping in mind the country's strong interest and commitment to peace, security, development and progress of Afghanistan.
"Our chairing this committee at this juncture will help keep the focus on the presence of terrorists and their sponsors threatening the peace process in Afghanistan. It has been our view that peace process and violence cannot go hand in hand," he said.
The foreign ministry said India, during its tenure as a UNSC member, will be guided by a commitment to promote responsible and inclusive solutions to international peace and security, a new orientation for a reformed multilateral system and a world view anchored in India's ethos of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam".
"With regard to Afghanistan, India and Afghanistan as contiguous neighbours share a natural historical relationship. Our strategic partnership and long-term commitment to the development of Afghanistan reflects this time-tested partnership. We have invested heavily in peace and development in Afghanistan and we support all efforts to bring peace and stability there," said spokesperson Anurag Srivastava.
"Our position on the peace process has also been articulated. The peace process must be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled. As an an important stakeholder, we look forward to working towards a peaceful, prosperous, sovereign, democratic and united Afghanistan," he added.
Tirumurti said India will also chair the Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of India's independence. "The chairing of this committee has a special resonance for India, which has not only been in the forefront of fighting terrorism, especially cross-border terrorism, but has also been one of its biggest victims," he said.