India to chair UNSC's crucial Taliban and Libya Sanctions Committees
What's the story
India will chair the crucial Taliban and Libya Sanctions Committees and the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN Security Council during its tenure as non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation UN body. India, which has been at the forefront of the years-long efforts to reform the UNSC, began its two-year tenure at the Council last Friday.
High priority
Chairing Taliban Sanctions Committee is a high priority for India
The Taliban Sanctions Committee, also known as the 1988 Sanctions Committee, has always been a high priority for India, keeping in mind the country's strong interest and commitment to peace, security, development, and progress of Afghanistan. "Our chairing this committee at this juncture will help keep the focus on the presence of terrorists and their sponsors threatening the peace process in Afghanistan," Tirumurti said.
Quote
India to chair three major committees
"I'm happy to annoUNce that India has been asked to chair three important committees of the Security Council, which include the Taliban Sanctions Committee, Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), and the Libyan Sanctions Committee," India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador TS Tirumurti said.
Fighting terrorism
India has been a warrior and a victim of terrorism
India will also chair the Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022. India has been at the forefront of fighting terrorism and has also been one of its biggest victims. The CTC, established in the wake of the 9/11 terror attack in the US, works to prevent terrorist acts, both within their borders and across regions. It is assisted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).
Details
Libya Sanctions Committee to prevent illicit activities
The Libya Sanctions Committee, also called the 1970 Sanctions Committee, implements the sanctions regime, including a two-way arms embargo, assets freeze, travel ban, and measures on illicit petroleum export. All member states should prevent the sale or supply of arms to Libya; prevent entry into or transit through their territories of listed individuals; freeze funds and financial assets owned or controlled by them.
Response
India's response to the responsibilities given
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said as a Council member, India will not hesitate to raise its voice against the enemies of humanity, including terrorism, and will always speak in support of peace, security, and prosperity. Former Indian Ambassador to the UN, Hardeep Singh Puri, had chaired the CTC for the 2011-12 term when India was last in the UNSC as a non-permanent member.
Term
India's eighth term as a non-permanent member
Tirumurti thanked Permanent Representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Rhonda King, who, as the chair of the Informal Working Group on Security Council Working Methods, had steered the process to its logical conclusion. In 2021, India, Norway, Kenya, Ireland, and Mexico joined non-permanent members Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, Tunisia, and Vietnam in the Council.