Amid Ukraine conflict, India proactively worked to mitigate disruptions in food, commodity supply chains

New York: Amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, India has proactively worked to mitigate disruptions in food and commodity supply chains by extending financial and food assistance to countries in need, including those in its neighborhood, the country’s permanent representative to the UN said.

Addressing a United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) debate on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj also said that India’s $40 billion development projects with Global South reflect an unwavering commitment to a human-centric world. During the debate on Monday, July 24, 2023, Khamboj reiterated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for reform of the UN.

“As Prime Minister Modi profoundly expressed at the UN, let us pledge to reform the global multilateral system to enhance its relevance, to improve its effectiveness, to make it the basis for a new type of human-centric globalization.”

“With this deeply human-centric approach, India remains committed to being a steadfast ally and catalyst in all peacebuilding endeavors,” Khamboj said.

Khamboj highlighted India’s crucial role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and also extended congratulations to Croatia for their exceptional leadership of the Peacebuilding Commission this year.

“Our nation has been a beacon of peace, rooted in Buddha’s message of harmony and non-violence. As we gather here, we are proud that over 6,000 of our brave personnel are deployed across 10 peacekeeping missions under the noble blue flag,” she said.

“Sadly, 177 gallant Indian soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice, the highest among all countries contributing troops and police to UN peacekeeping operations,” the envoy said.
Stating that India is a beacon of peace rooted in non-violence, Khamboj said that the country stands proud with more than 6,000 security personnel deployed in 10 peacekeeping missions.

She added that the cumulative value of India’s $40 billion spent in developmental projects with the Global South encompasses soft loans, grants, and capacity-building training programs, most of which have been undertaken in the last decade.

She also highlighted the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, established in 2017, as a testament to India’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism and global welfare.

“This Fund reflects our vision of “One Earth, one Family, one Future,” which also guides India’s G20 Presidency,” she said.

“In just five years, the Fund has supported 75 development projects in partnership with 56 developing countries, including 17 in Africa. These projects focus on South-owned, South-led, and demand-driven sustainable development initiatives,” Khamboj said.

She also highlighted India’s role during the pandemic. “Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have stood in solidarity with our Global South partners, further strengthening existing development ties,” Kamboj said.