New York [US], April 21 (ANI): India on Monday (local time) called for sweeping reforms in global financial systems at the General Debate of the 2026 ECOSOC Forum, as well as in the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing the need to better reflect the aspirations of the Global South during key discussions at UN Headquarters.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Secretary (West) Sibi George delivered India’s national statement at the General Debate of the 2026 ECOSOC Forum on financing for development follow-up.
Highlighting structural challenges in global development financing, India stressed the urgent need for systemic reforms. The statement underscored the need for a fair, inclusive, and development-oriented global financial system to bridge the $4 trillion SDG financing gap. It also emphasized that reforming international financial institutions, enhancing the voice of the Global South, and deploying digital public infrastructure are key to delivering on the Sevilla Commitment.
In a separate engagement, India also pushed for long-pending reforms of the United Nations Security Council during the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) meeting at the UN.
India emphasized that the current structure of the Security Council does not adequately represent developing nations, particularly in its permanent membership. The statement highlighted the need for greater representation of the Global South in the permanent category and underlined similarities between India’s approach to UN Security Council reforms and the African model.
Earlier, India underscored its continued engagement with the United Nations, with a particular focus on peacekeeping, during a high-level interaction between MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George and Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations at UN Headquarters in New York.
In a post on X, India’s Permanent Mission to the UN said that Sibi George met Khaled Khiari, and both sides held a productive discussion on various topics, with particular focus on UN peacekeeping. The discussions highlighted collaboration in peacekeeping, an area where India remains a key contributor.
According to the official UN India website, India has been among the largest and most consistent troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions, with more than 275,000 Indian personnel having served under the UN flag since 1948. (ANI)
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