Ritika
Washington6 minutes ago
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US President Joe Biden addressed the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday night. Spoke on many issues. Most of the focus was on the Russia-Ukraine war. The US President said – I want to talk clearly. A permanent member of the UN Security Council has attacked the neighboring country. Its purpose is to end Ukraine’s existence as a country.
He then named both Russia and Ukraine. Terming the attack on Ukraine as shameless, it was called the handiwork of a man (without naming Russian President Vladimir Putin).
Biden said in a speech given at UNGA that the number of permanent members in the Security Council should be increased. India has been making this demand for a long time.
Key highlights of Biden’s speech
- Biden also pointed to Putin’s threat of nuclear attack. Said- America has always tried that there is no chance of using these weapons. We have to make the UN such that Russia can be held responsible for the attack. We stand with Russia against the attack on Ukraine.
- Biden blamed Russia for the global food crisis and rising energy prices. Said- I consider one person more responsible than one country for this war. When winter comes, the situation will get worse.
- The US President accused China of plotting to stop the free movement in the sea i.e. ‘Freedom of Navigation’. He mentioned the Indian and Pacific Oceans. China wants to grab this region by force. In gestures that America will not allow these intentions to succeed.
- On the challenge of climate change, the US President said – We have made a strict law in this regard. The US government is investing heavily on this. America has also suffered a lot due to global warming. If climate change and global warming are not dealt with today, there may not be a chance in the future. The US is spending $396 billion on dealing with this threat.
- On the cyber war, Biden said – I met Putin in June 2021. Then I mentioned about Russia’s cyber attacks on America. We don’t want confrontation or war and are not interested in anything like a cold war.
- Biden mentioned two issues related to Iran. Said- Brave women of Iran are fighting for their rights, we stand with them. He said this in the context of the death of a 22-year-old girl who opposed the hijab in Iran. Then mentioned Iran’s plans to become a nuclear power and said that America will never allow Iran to become a nuclear power. If need be, we will also use force.
- He reprimanded China, Myanmar and Iran on the issue of human rights. Said- Democracy will always raise its voice against dictatorship. Biden has been raising this issue since he was a senator 10 years ago.
Before Biden’s speech, US Secretary of State for Climate Change Jim Carrey was seen talking to representatives of allied countries.
India’s demand
Biden did not name India in his speech, but clearly supported our demand to increase the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council. Said- We want that the number of permanent and non-permanent members in the Security Council should be increased. This should include countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. By doing this we will be able to meet the needs of the world in a much better way.
India has been demanding for a long time to increase the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council from five. America has also supported this demand of India for some years. China has been blocking India’s way in this matter by using veto power.
What is UNGA?
The General Assembly is one of the six main organs of the United Nations. All 193 members of the United Nations are part of it with equal rights and responsibility. All the work like the budget of the UN, the membership of the Security Council, the appointment of non-permanent members is the responsibility of the General Assembly.
Which countries are members of UNGA?
All 193 countries of the United Nations are members of the General Assembly. If the General Assembly wants, it can also give observer status to any international organization or institution. At present, Palestine and the Holy See have observer status. Observer states are also given limited powers.
Modi, Jinping and Putin will not come
This time Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not going to the United Nations General Assembly i.e. UNGA. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar will attend the General Assembly. Actually, there is a special reason behind the Indian Prime Minister not attending it. After the attack on Ukraine, the US and the European Union imposed sanctions on the purchase of oil and gas from Russia. India not only refused to accept this ban, but also made a deal of oil and gas with Russia.
This time the agenda of the United Nations meeting is to tighten the sanctions on Russia. In such a situation, by staying away from the meeting, India has made it clear that it will not bow down to imposing the agenda of the West on Russia. India and China are the only countries that continue to trade with Russia amid economic sanctions from the US and Europe. This has given a lot of support to the Russian economy. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will also not attend the meeting.
