India's Presidency ended with the first resolution on the current situation in Afghanistan

India's month-long presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) saw significant outcomes on important global issues.

India’s presidency came to an end with the UN body adopting a resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, demanding that the war-torn country not be used to threaten or attack any nation or shelter terrorists.

India is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term. It assumed the Presidency of the UN body for the month of August.

India began its presidency with a high-level signature event on maritime security presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was the first time the Prime Minister of India chaired the Security Council.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the two other signature events – on Peacekeeping and Technology on August 18 and the briefing on ISIL on August 19.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield congratulated India for a successful presidency of the UNSC for the month of August.

India held the Presidency amid critical Afghan situation

Under India's Presidency, the Council held three sessions on Afghanistan and issued three press statements on August 3, 16 and 27, the last one strongly condemning the bomb blasts near Kabul airport on August 26.

India's presidency ended with a strong resolution being adopted by the Council on the situation in Afghanistan. It reflected India’s views and concerns on the issues of peace and security.

The resolution demanded that the Afghan territory not be used to threaten any country or shelter terrorists. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla chaired the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan in which the resolution was adopted.

The resolution demanded that “Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts, and reiterates the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those individuals and entities designated pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999).”

First exclusive debate on how technology can aid in peacekeeping

Under India’s presidency, the Security Council, for the first time, held an open debate focused exclusively on how technology can aid in peacekeeping. And for the first time, it adopted a presidential statement on the topic of technology and peacekeeping.

In another first, India drafted a resolution on peacekeeping focused on ensuring accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. The resolution was sponsored by 80 member states, including all 15 members of the UNSC.

Other key outcomes in the UNSC under India's presidency

India began its Presidency with a high-level signature event on maritime security - the Open Debate on "Enhancing Maritime Security: A Case for International Cooperation" - chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The event was the first time when there was a comprehensive debate on the holistic concept of maritime security. There was also a presidential statement on maritime security which was also the first such statement on the concept.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the two other signature events - on Peacekeeping and Technology on August 18 and the briefing on Islamic State on August 19.

India also exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN in support of the 'Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping' initiative and to UN C4ISR Academy.

Under India’s presidency, the UNSC successfully steered the discussions on various peace and security issues that are on its agenda, including Myanmar, Syria, Yemen, and the Middle East Peace Process.

On August 30, Shringla chaired four meetings of the UNSC which included: Adoption of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Resolution; Adoption of Mali Sanctions Resolution; Adoption of UNSOM Resolution; and Briefing/consultations on Middle East Peace Process.