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Ban backs UN reforms, lauds Indian democracy
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Ban backs UN reforms, lauds Indian democracy
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Thursday underlined his strong commitment to reforming and strengthening the global body even as he conjured a grim picture for emerging markets and developing countries in the wake of the global financial meltdown.
"For our indispensable partnership to flourish, India must have confidence in the UN itself. If we are to make demands of others, we must demand equally much of ourselves," Ban said while delivering the 9th Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture titled "India and the United Nations: An Indispensable Partnership" here.
"I am strongly committed to reforming and strengthening the organization, its structures and its management," Ban said in remarks that endorses India`s vigorous advocacy of the long-pending UN reforms.
India raised the issue of the expansion of the UN Security Council during delegation-level talks between the UN chief and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee later in the evening.
Other global issues, including international financial crisis, food crisis, terrorism and the situation in Myanmar also figured in the discussions. The row over the alleged misconduct of Indian troops in the UN`s Congo mission also figured in the discussions, official sources said.
He also discussed a host of global issues with ruling United Progressive Alliance chair Sonia Gandhi and met Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani.
Ban, who began his diplomatic career in South Korea`s embassy in New Delhi and has visited India earlier as his country`s foreign minister, will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil Friday.
Ban`s trip to New Delhi is part of his three-nation tour that also takes him to Nepal and Bangladesh - his first official trip to India and the region.
Lavishing praise on Indian democracy, Ban said India was an "indispensable partner" of the UN in the efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and promote sustainable development.
"Your (India) experience debunks the commonly heard argument that development must precede democracy. Instead, through democracy, your country has progressed and removed many social ills," Ban said at a time when the violence against Christians in Orissa and Karnataka has come in for sharp criticism from some European nations.
"Many developing countries look to India for lessons and inspirations. Yet there was still much more to be done in this country. Migrant workers, landless labourers and other disadvantaged groups and women needed greater attention," he said.
He also spoke highly of late former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi`s 1988 action plan for universal ed prominently in Ban`s speech.
Source:
http://www.sify.com
"For our indispensable partnership to flourish, India must have confidence in the UN itself. If we are to make demands of others, we must demand equally much of ourselves," Ban said while delivering the 9th Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture titled "India and the United Nations: An Indispensable Partnership" here.
"I am strongly committed to reforming and strengthening the organization, its structures and its management," Ban said in remarks that endorses India`s vigorous advocacy of the long-pending UN reforms.
India raised the issue of the expansion of the UN Security Council during delegation-level talks between the UN chief and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee later in the evening.
Other global issues, including international financial crisis, food crisis, terrorism and the situation in Myanmar also figured in the discussions. The row over the alleged misconduct of Indian troops in the UN`s Congo mission also figured in the discussions, official sources said.
He also discussed a host of global issues with ruling United Progressive Alliance chair Sonia Gandhi and met Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani.
Ban, who began his diplomatic career in South Korea`s embassy in New Delhi and has visited India earlier as his country`s foreign minister, will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil Friday.
Ban`s trip to New Delhi is part of his three-nation tour that also takes him to Nepal and Bangladesh - his first official trip to India and the region.
Lavishing praise on Indian democracy, Ban said India was an "indispensable partner" of the UN in the efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and promote sustainable development.
"Your (India) experience debunks the commonly heard argument that development must precede democracy. Instead, through democracy, your country has progressed and removed many social ills," Ban said at a time when the violence against Christians in Orissa and Karnataka has come in for sharp criticism from some European nations.
"Many developing countries look to India for lessons and inspirations. Yet there was still much more to be done in this country. Migrant workers, landless labourers and other disadvantaged groups and women needed greater attention," he said.
He also spoke highly of late former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi`s 1988 action plan for universal ed prominently in Ban`s speech.
Source:
http://www.sify.com
