The call for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) got louder on Thursday after India and Africa together raised their voice against “inequality” in the world body and called for urgent reforms in the global governance structure so that it means the United equal Nations.
Speaking at the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), the entire African continent represented by 54 countries, agreed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he called for UNSC reforms in his inaugural address.
While they fight for their legitimate right in UNSC, India-Africa decided to join hands in key areas like counter-terrorism, climate change and work to boost trade and investment. India has offered a concessional credit of $10 billion to Africa over the next five years and a grant assistance of $600 million apart from technology support for its development. This will be in addition to India’s ongoing credit programmes in Africa.
Modi also announced doubling of scholarships for African students to honour the demands made by African countries. India has promised to help develop healthcare systems, infrastructure, power, irrigation, agriculture and resources in Africa and set up industrial and information technology parks.
“To add strength to our partnership, India will offer concessional credit of $10 billion over the next five years. This will be in addition to our ongoing credit programme. We will also offer a grant assistance of $600 million. This will include an India-Africa Development Fund of $100 million and an India-Africa Health Fund of $10 million. It will also include 50,000 scholarships in India over the next five years. And, it will support the expansion of the Pan-African e-Network and institutions of skilling, training and learning across Africa,” Modi said.
Talking about UNSC reforms Modi said it ran the risk of becoming irrelevant unless it adjusted to the changing world.
He added that the world was undergoing political, economic, security and technological transition on a scale and speed rarely seen in recent history and yet the global institutions reflected the circumstances of the century that has been left behind.
“These institutions have served us well, but unless they adjust to the changing world, they risk becoming irrelevant. We cannot say what will replace them in an uncertain future. But, we might have a more fragmented world that is less capable of dealing with the challenges of our era. That is why India advocates reforms in global institutions,” Modi said.
Modi was backed by President of Zimbabwe and chairperson of the African Union, Robert Mugabe, and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, chairperson of African Union Commission (AUC). Mugabe said that the UN had become a forum where some are giants, while the rest, like Africa and India, have been made dwarfs. He termed UN to be defective. “We are equal and say no to this inequality” Mugabe said.
“The United Nations…has brought us together in a kind of forum where some are giants, and others are dwarfs. But why should we accept itIJ We have India with us, a geological queen to Africa; and India has 1.2 billion people, and together we constitute one-third of the world’s population. One-third of this world which at the UN is treated like a kid, we say “No”. One-third of the population of the world must be respected, its rights must be respected and equality must be respected, and that is why we say let us amend the UN, so it means the United equal Nations,” Mugabe said.
The IAFS is attended by representatives of 54 countries including 41 Heads of State and Government of African countries. Among the prominent faces is Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir who arrived on Wednesday. His arrival has created a diplomatic challenge for India as Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Darfur conflict. India claims it is not a signatory to the ICC, hence, is not obligated to arrest Bashir.
However, on its part India ensured that it stands up against injustice, terrorism and bloodbath as Modi sought to deepen cooperation in maritime security, counter terrorism, Intelligence sharing, Defence training and capacity building of forces. In this regard the Prime Minister pitched for the need to have a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, something that India has been pushing for long.
Emphasising on partnership on clean energy, Modi invited African nations to join an alliance of solar-rich nations that he proposes to announce in the upcoming COP-21 talks in Paris. Modi also sought African backing on having a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security and special safeguard mechanism in agriculture for the developing countries at the Nairobi WTO meet.