The UN Chief appreciated the positive role India is playing in the UNSC as well as its robust contribution to UN peacekeeping

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla who is on a three day visit to New York from July 14, called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday. During their meeting, the two exchanged views on regional situations, including Afghanistan and Myanmar, climate change, Security Council reforms and the COVID-19 situation around the world.

“Foreign Secretary briefed the Secretary General about India’s priorities for the Security Council during its Presidency in August, namely maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism. Views were exchanged, inter alia, on regional situations, including Afghanistan and Myanmar, on climate change, International Solar Alliance, UNSC reforms and on the COVID-19 situation around the world,” a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

He congratulated Guterres on his reappointment as chief of the world organisation for a second tenure.

According to the MEA, the Secretary General expressed solidarity with the Government and people of India in their efforts against the recent wave of COVID-19 pandemic. He appreciated the positive role India is playing in the UN Security Council as well as India’s robust contribution to UN peacekeeping. The Secretary General also wished India the best for its upcoming Presidency of the UNSC.

Shringla is on an official visit to New York to participate in high-level meetings of the Security Council being held under the French Presidency this month.

On the sidelines of the UNSC High Level Meeting, the Foreign Secretary also called on Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian and briefed him about India’s August UNSC Presidency initiatives and extended him External Affairs Minister’s invitation to attend the High Level meetings which would be chaired by India.

Later in the day, FS Shringla held a meeting with Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield, US Permanent Representative to the UN and held meetings with other senior officials of the United Nations.

After the meeting, Ambassador Greenfield tweeted, “Great meeting today with Indian Foreign Secretary @harshvshringla to discuss how the United States and India can tackle our shared challenges and priorities at the UN.”