India-Russia Cooperation at the UNSC

• 03 Feb 2022

For Prelims: UN Security Council, Minsk Agreement, Normandy Process, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), G20, New Development Bank (NDB).

For Mains: Issues Associated with the Functioning of UNSC, Need to bring reforms in the UN Security Council, Importance of India-Russia Cooperation in UN and Multilateral Fora, India-Russia Relations, India’s stand on Russia-Ukraine Tensions.

Why in News?

Recently, the Bilateral consultations on United Nations related issues were held between India and Russia in New Delhi.

• Russia is set to assume the presidency of the UN Security Council in February, 2022.
• The discussion came in the backdrop of tensions between Russia and Ukraine over possible eastward expansion by NATO.
• Earlier, the 21^st India-Russia annual summit took place at New Delhi which also included the first 2+2 ministerial dialogue of India’s foreign and defence ministers with their Russian counterparts.

What is the importance of Cooperation in UN and Multilateral Fora?

• Both Sides stresses the importance of reinvigorating multilateralism, with the central coordinating role played by the United Nations in world affairs.
  • Russia welcomed India’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with an overwhelming majority for a two-year term.
  • Russia supports India’s candidacy for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council and of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
• Both Sides support the comprehensive reform of the UNSC to reflect contemporary global realities and to make it more representative, effective and efficient in dealing with issues of international peace and security.
• Both Sides are committed to enhanced cooperation within BRICS.
  • Russia congratulates India on its successful BRICS Chairmanship in 2021, including hosting of the XIII BRICS Summit on 9^th September 2021 and adopting the New Delhi Declaration.
• The role of the New Development Bank (NDB) is recognised by both sides as vital to addressing development challenges, including health and economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic and encouraged the NDB to explore the possibility of financing more social infrastructure projects, including those that use digital technologies.
• India and Russia recognise the achievements of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the last two decades of its operation and believe that it has the great potential for further interaction among the SCO Member States.
• They intend to focus particularly on increasing the effectiveness of countering terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, cross-border organized crime, and information security threats, in particular by improving the functionality of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.
• They are also determined to cooperate within the G20 format and intensify the same on issues of global and mutual interest, keeping in view India’s presidency of the G20 in 2023.
• Both sides agree that safeguarding of global commons including our oceans, outer space and information space should be based on the principles of transparency, accessibility and upholding international law.

What stand India has taken in UNSC on Russia-Ukraine Tensions?

• At the UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Ukraine, India also called for the immediate de-escalation of the situation while taking into account the security interests of all.
• India called for quiet diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine tensions.
  • “Quiet diplomacy” refers to one state's efforts to influence the behavior of another state through discreet negotiations or actions.
• India was one of three countries (Kenya and Gabon were the others) that abstained from a procedural vote on whether or not Ukraine would be discussed. China and Russia voted against the move.
  • The US, which initiated the meeting, and nine other countries voted to hold the discussion.
• India reiterated its support for a July 2020 ceasefire, the 2014 Minsk Agreement and the Normandy Process.
  • The Normandy Format refers to discussions held between Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, who have met since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea.
• India also called for quiet diplomacy as both the West, led by the US, and Russia have been talking tough publicly.
  • India is concerned about the security of the more than 20,000 Indian nationals — including students — living in Ukraine.

Way Forward

• Although India and Russia cannot do much about each other engaging with their rivals, they have no reason to be satisfied with the poor state of their commercial ties.
• To give a start to the revival of their ties, India and Russia shall focus on laying a clear path for expansive economic cooperation and generating a better understanding of each other’s imperatives on the Indo-Pacific.

Source: TH