UN should focus on ending threats from IS: India

Expressing serious concerns on the terrorist attacks that rocked Baghdad last month, India asserted that United Nations Security Council should focus on eliminating every threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and other terror groups. India also said that it will support Iraq govt's request for the UN observation of the upcoming elections in the country.

New Delhi:India on Wednesday strongly condemned the attacks that took place at Iraq’s capital last month at the United Nation Security Council (UNSC).

Permanent representative of India to the UN TS Tirumurti said, “The attacks are the stark reminder that the ISIL continues to pose a significant challenge to the peace and stability in Iraq and the region. Terrorism remains the gravest threat to mankind and endangers the very foundation of humanity”.

He said that the focus of the Security Council should be to eliminate every threat pose by ISIL and other terror groups in Iraq and elsewhere in the world.

He further urged the international community to continue its support for Iraqi Security forces and the government so that they can credibly address the menace of terrorism and provide an environment free of terror and fear.

Highlighting the report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the 1267 committee, Tirumurti said, “The report mentioned that the threat posed by ISIL to international peace and security is on the rise again and that majority of the active 10,000 ISIL fighters in the region are in Iraq. This is deeply concerning”.

"A holistic approach needs to be adopted to ensure effective action in the global fight against terrorism," he said, adding that EAM S Jaishankar had proposed an eight-point action plan for effectively countering terrorism at the Council’s Ministerial meeting in January.

He points out that the upcoming parliamentary election in Iraq, scheduled in October 2021, will be a valuable opportunity to strengthen the roots of democracy in the country.

"A transparent and free, fair and inclusive election conducted in a violent free environment, with a high voter turnout, will empower the new government to implement reforms, improve accountability, meet the genuine aspirations of the Iraqi people, especially the women and youth and promote inclusiveness and reconciliation," he added.

"International assistance to the independent high electoral commission of Iraq and UN observation of the electoral process would also enhance the credibility of these elections and build confidence about the integrity of the results among the Iraqi people," stated Tirumurti.

He also assured that India fully supports the government of Iraq’s request for the UN observation of the upcoming elections in the country.

“We will support any process which respects Iraq's sovereignty, strengthens the democratic exercise, and makes it credible and consequently acceptable to the people of Iraq," he added.

In line with our strong democratic traditions, India has contributed to the democratic and electoral processes in Iraq by training Independent High Electoral Commission officials and sending election observers," Tirumurti further added.

India will remain a willing partner of Iraq in its nation-building endeavours to deliver prosperity to its people.

It is pertinent to note that Air bubble arrangement between India and Iraq has enabled over 10,000 Iraqi nationals to travel to India during the last four months alone for medical treatment.

India has commenced its two-year stint as a non-permanent member of the 15-nation UN Security Council this January. Ever since then, India has shown a willingness and is doing its bit to bring an inclusive solution to matters of international peace concerning the security of the world as a whole.

India will be UNSC President in August 2021 and will preside over the council again for a month in 2022.

Later today, S Jaishankar will address the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) open debate on 'Implementation of Resolution 2532 (2020)'.