Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know UNITED NATIONS India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Meets Consuls General From Around US In NYC I ndia’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, on a visit to United States, chaired a Consuls General Conference on Saturday, November 15, 2025. In- dia’s envoys from around the country came to meet him at the Indian Consulate in NewYork City. He praised their work in strengthening US-India ties and reviewed bilateral rela- tions between the two democracies. In a post on X, he said, “Chaired a Consul Generals Conference in NewYork today, attended by Embassy of India in Washington DC, Consulate General of India in NewYork, Consulate General of India in Los Angeles, Consulate General of India in Seattle, Consulate General of India in San Francisco, Consulate General of India in Atlanta, Consulate General of India in Houston, Consulate General of India in Chicago and Consulate General of India in Boston. Reviewed our bilateral ties and support for diaspora activities. Appreci- ate the commitment and efforts of our Embassy and Consulates to strengthening the India- US partnership.” The Indian Consulate posted on its X site @IndiainNewYork, “Team CGI New York was honoured to welcome External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. His vision, guidance and leadership strengthen our commitment to work for the India-USA partnership.” Earlier on Thursday, November 13, Jaishankar met United Nations Secretary- General Antonio Guterres in NewYork and discussed the current global order, regional flashpoints and the role of multi- lateralism. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he valued Guterres’ assessment of global de- velopments and thanked him for his “clear and consistent support” for India’s growth. “Good to meet with UNSG @anto- nioguterres in NewYork today. Valued his assessment of the current global order and its implications for multilateralism. Also appreciated his perspectives on vari- ous regional hotspots. Thank him for clear and consistent support for India’s growth and development. Look forward to welcoming him in India,” he wrote. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:X.COM @DRSJAISHANKAR PHOTO:X.COM @DRSJAISHANKAR India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar chaired a Consuls General Conference in NYC Saturday, November 15, 2025. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres November 13, 2025, at the UN. 4 CITY VIEWS November 21, 2025 India Criticizes Pakistan’s Appointment To UNSC Taliban Sanctions Committee W hile selection process of the 2025 UN Secu- rity Council 1988 Taliban Sanctions Com- mittee members is shrouded in secrecy, selection of specific members becomes questionable due to their proven involvement in terrorist activities and organizations, India candidly pointed out, without naming any country. India’s covert reference was to Pakistan who has been appointed to chair the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee for 2025. In the official statement of India delivered by P. Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, India pointed out anomalies related to the selection of specific members, the selection process itself and im- provements needed in the way the UN Security Council operates towards fulfilling its role. Harish was speaking at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Working Methods last week. “Discussions in the Council on distribution of Chairs and pen-holderships must prevent Council members with vested interests from being accorded these privi- leges. Obvious and outright conflicts of interest can have no place in the Council,” Harish said. Pakistan is a non-permanent member of the UN Secu- rity Council for the 2025–26 term. It has been appointed Chair of the UNSC 1988 (Taliban) Sanctions Committee for 2025, and Vice Chair of the UNSC 1373 Counter- Terrorism Committee for 2025, along with Russia and France. The Taliban Sanctions committee is responsible for overseeing sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes, on individuals and entities associ- ated with the Taliban. As Chair, Pakistan will convene and facilitate meetings and coordinate among members. However, all decisions will be taken by consensus. Paki- stan will hold this position until December 31, 2025. Harish also criticized the selection process for being secretive and non-transparent. “Selection of Chairs of subsidiary bodies and pen-holderships needs to be car- ried out in a more transparent, objective and time bound manner,” Harish said. He emphasized the need for trans- parent, straight and inclusive process and decisions. “A case in point is the manner in which listing requests are rejected. Unlike de-listing decisions, these are done in a rather obscure manner, with member states that are not on the Council not being privy to details,” Harish said. Harish also pointed to the lingering continuation of unnecessary UN organs and the expenses attached to them, again without naming Pakistan. “Continuation of mandates that have outlived their utility for narrow political interests of certain states must not be allowed,” Harish said. One such continuation which Pakistan has been insist- ing on is the UN Military Observer Group which was cre- ated to monitor the ceasefire in Kashmir. India believes it has no relevant role. Such organs strain the budget, Harish pointed out. “This continued existence in a resource constrained scenario is a drain on the UN and member states,” Harish said, and added, “I urge the Council to undertake neces- sary measures on this front to bring about sunset clauses to UN peacekeeping operations.” Reemphasizing the need to expand the permanent membership of the UNSC from its 15-members, Harish said merely expanding the non-permanent members does not meet the need of the Security Council to be credible, efficient and transparent. “…there must be expansion in both the permanent and non- permanent categories with adequate repre- sentation for under-represented and non-represented geographies, through text-based negotiations in a time bound manner,” Harish said. PHOTOS:UN PHOTO United Nations Security Council meeting. By Archana Adalja