Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 20 INDIA’S 77TH REPUBLIC DAY January 30, 2026 Statement Of US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio: January 25, 2026 India @United Nations: Celebrating Spirit Of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ On World Stage nology, health and education through the Fund and other UN agencies. CONTRIBUTION TO UN PEACEKEEPING – India’s participa- tion in UN peacekeeping dates back to 1953, with the UN operation in Korea. Since then, India has played a significant role in UN Peacekeeping, contributing over 290,000 peacekeepers across more than 50 UN missions. Currently, over 5,000 Indian peacekeepers are actively deployed in nine missions, placing it among the top troop-contributing countries, according to the EAM. India has also empowered other Global South nations to enhance their peacekeeping capabilities. Through its Centre for UN Peacekeeping, India offers training and capacity-building programs, including specialized courses for women peacekeepers, and initiatives carried out for ASEAN nations in 2023. Security Council Permanent Membership – All this, yet India has not been able to acquire a seat as a per- manent member of the UN Security Council. This is not least because of the machinations of Beijing and Islam- abad using the issue of the state of Jammu & Kashmir which Pakistan unlawfully occupies notwithstanding UN’s 1946 resolution requiring it to withdraw troops and not fund terrorism. That is a subject for another detailed examination. As per the UN Charter, the Security Council was envisaged as the apex body meant to safeguard interna- tional peace and security. The five permanent members, China, France, the Russian Federation, the United King- dom, and the United States each hold the veto power, alongside ten non-permanent members elected for two year terms. In January 2021, India became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 8th time. It has been seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council as a member of the G4, an organization com- posed of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India, all of whom are currently seeking permanent seats. On its part, India thinks it qualifies for the permanent seat as the world’s largest liberal democracy. It is also the world’s fifth largest economy and third largest in terms of purchasing power parity. India is the largest contribu- tor of troops to the UN peacekeeping missions. India has been seeking permanent membership for too long, and its concern was voiced very aptly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN General Assembly on September 26, 2020. “… For how long will India be kept out of the deci- sion-making structures of the United Nations? Reform in the responses, in the processes, and in the very character of the UN is the need of the hour…,” Modi had said. With a conservative perspective, India has always accepted the UN as a governing body which would do good for every member in the world. It is time now for the UN to also accept it as family in the same spirit, it feels. Regardless of permanent membership, the demo- cratic republic of India will continue to abide by the UN Charter and further its goals, as stated by India’s Exter- nal Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. “…Guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the belief that the world is one family, India will continue to contribute meaningfully to the cause of UN peacekeeping.” PHOTO:COURTESY INDIA’S EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY PHOTO:COURTESY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PHOTO.LICENSED UNDERTHE GOVERNMENT OPEN DATA LICENSE A group of Indian Women Peacekeepers. Cultural Dance at the Republic Day Parade 2025. - Continued From Page 18 O n behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of India on your Republic Day. The United States and India share a historic bond. From our close co- operation on defense, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies to our multi-layered engagement through the Quad, the U.S.-India re- lationship delivers real results for our two countries and for the Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to working together to advance our shared objectives in the year ahead. PHOTO:RELEASED BY US EMBASSY PHOTO:REUTERS