New Delhi: India on Monday voted against a draft UN Security Council resolution, saying it aims to secure climate action and undermine the agreement reached in Glasgow.
Ambassador TS Tirumurti, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, presented an explanation of the vote on behalf of India. He said India would always speak for the interests of developing countries and had no option but to vote against the draft, news agency PTI reported.
TS Tirumurti said, “India had no option but to vote against the resolution.”
He further stressed that there should be no confusion about India’s determination to tackle climate change as the country will always support genuine climate action and serious climate justice.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations said, “We will always speak up for the interests of the developing world, including Africa and the Sahel region. And we will do it at the right place, the UNFCCC.”
He also said that developed countries should provide climate finance of USD 1 trillion at the earliest as it is essential that climate finance is tracked with the same diligence as climate mitigation.
TS Trimurti said, “Developed countries have fallen far behind on their promises.”
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About the UNSC Draft Resolution
According to news agency ANI, the draft proposal, co-authored by Ireland and Niger, said the adverse effects of climate change “could lead to social tensions …, increase, prolong or can contribute.” conflict and instability and pose a major risk to global peace, security and stability”.
Ireland and Niger circulated a zero draft of the resolution on 23 September following a high-level open debate on climate and security which was hosted by Ireland.
ANI reported that the co-penholders apparently based their text on a draft proposal, which was proposed in 2020 by the then council member Germany in collaboration with nine other council members.
A vote on that draft text was not held due to strong resistance by China, Russia and the US.
A round of talks took place on 11 October in which Estonia, France, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Niger, Norway, Tunisia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the UK, the US and Vietnam expressed support for a more orderly integration. Climate-related security risks in Council work, requesting only minor adjustments to the zero draft.
On the other hand, according to ANI, China, India and Russia expressed deep doubts about the need for the Council’s involvement on the issue.
India and Russia also highlighted concerns about a “secure” approach to the issue, expressing fears that the council may take coercive measures to address the challenges posed by climate change.
(with inputs from agencies)
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